PTI Handicrafts Exports up 58 per cent in October.

New Delhi, (PTI) Handicrafts exports grew by a robust 58.55 per cent year-on-year to USD 41.73 million in October, 2010, on the back of increasing demand from the US and European markets. Handicraft exports stood at USD 26.32 million in October, 2009, according to data provided by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

"There is a good demand for handicrafts products, mainly from the US and European markets," EPCH Executive Director Rakesh Kumar said. Among the items that saw maximum export growth were imitation jewellery (up 37.94 per cent), woodware (up 33.20 per cent) and shawls as artware (up 30.13 per cent).

The council said the industry is hopeful of achieving the export target of USD 2.2 billion fixed by the government for the current fiscal. "We expect to achieve the export target as there is a good response not only from the traditional markets, but also from new markets like Latin America and Africa," Kumar said.

In the first seven months of 2010-11, the sector''s exports jumped by 23.91 per cent to USD 1 billion. The US and EU together account for 70 per cent of the country''s handicraft exports.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur and Jodhpur are the major handicraft hubs in the country catering to global markets. The sector employs about 10 lakh people.

Source : in.news.yahoo.com