Handicrafts Exports up 19 % in April-November .

Even as several leading economists across the world continue to express fears about the possibilities of a double dip depression, the average consumer abroad does not seem to be so very bothered when it comes to buying Indian handicrafts items.

According to Union Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran, handicrafts exports from India have recorded a healthy growth of 18.7 per cent for the first eight months of the current financial year [April-November] as compared to the same period last year.

Handicrafts items worth a total of Rs.5,238 crore were exported between April and November this year as compared to Rs.4,412 crore in the corresponding period last year. The performance was all the more better in dollar terms. Shipments were higher by 25 per cent at $1,139 million against $912 million.

Lauding the efforts of the Export Promotion Council for the achievement, Mr. Maran noted that this growth had come on top of a 6.55 per cent growth in exports between 2008-09 and 2009-10 in rupee terms and 1.8 per cent in dollar terms — from Rs.8,132 crore to Rs.8,719 crore and from $1,798 million to $1,830 million.

Presenting the national awards for excellence in handicrafts exports, the Union Minister urged exporters to do better through product innovation, technology upgradation and creation of better marketing linkages both within and outside the country.

Source : thehindu.com