Handicrafts Exports up 22 Percent in August.

NEW DELHI: India's handicrafts exports jumped by about 22 per cent to USD 369 million in August, 2010, thanks to increased demand from US and European markets .

According to the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), shipments stood at USD 303 million in August, 2009.

"The growth is attributed to Christmas orders, mainly from US and European markets. Also, demand from new markets like Argentina and Brazil has increased," EPCH Chairman Raj Malhotra said.

The US and EU together account for 70 per cent of the country's handicraft exports.

Among the items that registered the maximum growth in exports were imitation jewellery (up 37.05 per cent), followed by woodware (up 30.16 per cent), shawls as artware (up 26.97 per cent) and artmetal wares (up 22.05 per cent).

During April-August, 2010, exports grew by 21.71 per cent to USD 960 million compared to the same period last year.

Exporters are hopeful that the positive trend will continue in the coming months.

The sector, which was hit hard by the global economic recession, turned positive in September, 2009, registering a growth of over 165 per cent.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur and Jodhpur are the major handicraft hubs catering to global markets. The sector employs about 1 million people.

Source : economictimes.indiatimes.com