India keen to set up permanent handicrafts pavilion in UAE

Dubai: India is keen on setting up a permanent pavilion in the UAE to display its wide variety of handicrafts to the people of the Gulf region and western tourists.

Addressing at a seminar on Thursday evening on 'Brand Image Promotion of Indian Handicrafts', Textiles Minister Shankersinh Vaghela said a draft plan has been drawn up to popularise the country's exquisite handmade wares with the aid of the regional media vehicle through print and television advertisements.

"To popularise 'Made in India' handicrafts, the setting up of the permanent pavilion is our first priority. People must know where to go to get what they like, otherwise there is no point in advertising in television or newspapers," he said.

Vaghela also informed that he has had "fruitful discussions" this time with the authorities on cutting down delays at the UAE ports.

UAE is the fourth-largest importer of Indian handicrafts with the total volume of the wares valued at $215.36 million in 2007-08. India exports the largest quantity of handicrafts to the US, the value standing at $1119.84 in 2007-08.

Hand-knitted goods

The bulk of UAE's imports of Indian handicrafts consist of hand-knitted and crocheted goods, including carpets. Other popular items include art metalware, hand-printed textiles and scarves, woodwares, zari-related goods, shawls, imitation jewellery, etc.

Rakesh Kumar, executive director of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, Government of India, said his department would organise more buyer-seller meets in India and in the Gulf.

"We will assist buyers to locate suitable vendors by providing them with a comprehensive list of vendor profiles. EPCH will also mediate and settle trade disputes that may arise between sellers and buyers."

Kumar said 900 more vendors would set up shop very soon at the new India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida in New Delhi's suburbs. The centre, which aims to facilitate bulk buying of "Made in India" handicrafts, already has 900 vendors catering to domestic and international wholesale buyers and importers.

Sanjay Agarwal, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), said low quality packaging had been an issue with importers for long. He said artisans are now being trained by the Indian Institute of Packaging on how to make packages of international standards so that the goods are delivered in perfect condition.

India has 6.7 million artisans involved in handicrafts, according to 2006-07 estimates, of which 47.4 per cent are women. It's exports of handicrafts are worth $3.8 billion (2006-07), witnessing an average growth of 20.72 per cent in the past five years.