(a) the details of contribution of handicrafts sector to the economy of the country through exports during the last three years and the current year; and
(b) the steps taken by the Government to boost and strengthen handicrafts sector so as to compete with machine-made products?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES
(SHRI AJAY TAMTA)
(a): The details of contribution of handicrafts sector which includes handmade carpets to the economy of the country through exports during the last three years and the current year is as follows:-
Year Export figures (in Rs. Crores)
2013-14 - Rs. 26212.29 Crores
2014-15 - Rs. 28524.48 Crores
2015-16 - Rs. 30939.27 Crores
2016-17 - Rs. 31516.92 Crores
(April to February, 2017)
(b): The steps taken by the Government to boost and strengthen handicrafts sector which includes handmade carpets so as to compete with machine-made products are as follows:-
1. Market Development Assistance (MDA) Grant and Market Access Initiative (MAI) Assistance for participation in Fairs & Exhibitions/Reverse/Buyer-Seller Meet in India & abroad.
2. Assistance provided by the Government for marketing study, branding/International publicity, participation in Fairs & Exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meet in India & abroad etc. through Marketing and other Scheme.
3. Thematic display and live demonstration of crafts by Master Craftspersons in exhibitions abroad.
4. Brand image promotion of Indian handicrafts abroad through seminars and publicity as well as awareness programs in India.
5. Organizing Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair twice a year besides product specific shows.
6. Display of new design through exporters for creating awareness and marketing.
7. To provide technological support to wooden crafts, a Technological Upgradation centre has been setup in Saharanpur.
8. To facilitate manufactures/ exporters for developing new design and finishing products Common Facility Centre have been setup in Jodhpur and Saharanpur.
9. International Lace Trade Centre sanctioned in Crafts Cluster of Lace & Crocheted crafts at Narasapur, Andhra Pradesh.
10. Moradabad Resource Centre setup at Moradabad to facilitate information relating to business development, word market trends, marketing and publicity and to cater to the changing tastes and requirements of international market and remain abreast with the latest development.
11. Setting up of Mega Clusters in Bhadohi-Mirzapur & Srinagar for increasing manufacturing and exports of carpets.
12. Providing Skill Development Training for Carpets weaving.
13. Providing financial assistance for running Carpet Weaving Training Centers in Bhadohi-Varanasi-Mirzapur areas for creating new Artisans/ Weavers with stipend.
14. The Excise & Customs Duties paid for importing inputs are refunded through Duty Drawback channel.
15. Setting up of Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT) at Bhadohi.
16. Interest subvention and grant of MUDRA loan schemes to the handicrafts artisans so as to compete with machine-made products
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