Kashmir a focus area in Home Expo India-2012.

Greater Noida, Apr 15: The 4-day Home Expo India-2012 was kicked off here on Sunday with a special focus on Kashmir handicrafts.

Nearly 25 companies from the Valley, mostly in the medium and small sectors, are showcasing their
products in the exhibition sponsored by the Union Textile Ministry.

The Exports Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is organising the exhibition.

The organisers said that although handicrafts such as carpets, papier mache and walnut wood products, chain stitch and crewel furnishing, garments, etc, are being exported from Jammu and Kashmir, they have not received proper attention in the overseas markets.  “Keeping this in view J&K has been given a special focus in this international meet,” they said.

The EPCH vice-chairman and an established Kashmiri handicrafts manufacturer, Ashad Mir said such meets provide a good platform to them to sell their products.

He said the J&K pavilion is showcasing the rich craft of the region. The pavilion has been curated by the National Centre for Design and Product Development.

The NCDPD sources said that all facilities have been provided by the Ministry to the participating companies from J&K and North-East. This includes free space to exhibit their products, travel and boarding and lodging during the course of the exhibition days.

Mir said more than 600 international buyers from USA, European Union, Far East, Latin America, Central Asia and African continents will be visiting the exhibition and have already evinced interest in these products.

It is expected that the Kashmiri products will register a sale of Rs 25 crore to 30 crore, he added.

The Home Expo fair has been designed and timed for the first time to coincide with the April 18 Hongkong and subsequent Chinese fair, he said.

The buyers will directly go from here to visit these two places carrying their Indian experience.

Farooq Shah of Mughal Art Traders, manufacturers of shawls and stoles, said that such exhibitions provide good outlets to sell the world famous Kashmiri handicrafts. His views were also echoed by Alamgir of Chinar Valley Arts.

Another handicraft manufacturer from Kashmir Nazir A Wani, said that such fairs are visited by very select buyers and exporters and have the unique potential to export the products.

However, he felt that the theme of the Kashmir pavilion could have been given a better and local touch as the region is full of original ideas.

Wani, who is also the senior vice-president of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Kashmir in itself is a brand name and has great potential in the export market. “But to achieve that end it is imperative to maintain a high quality of products and continue to innovate.”

He felt that although the Mahatama Gandhi Rural Employment Gurantee Scheme is a novel idea but is adversely affecting the new generation of artisans. “Its scope should be broadened to include the activities of traditional cottage and handicraft industry,” he suggested.

Source : greaterkashmir.com