Handicraft Industry

Handicrafts represent a region's traditional art heritage and legacy of customary craft skills. Metal ware, pottery, sculpting, textiles, stone crafts, jewelry and much more - India's rich cultural ethnicity has made Indian handicraft products a rage in the national and international markets.

Economically, the labor intensive Indian handicraft industry has evolved as a major contributor to India's export revenues, with an industry growth rate of 20% pa. US and Europe together account for over 65 per cent of the Indian handicrafts exports. The recession hit the Indian handicrafts industry majorly, bringing down the handicraft exports revenue to half. Quoting in figures, 2008-09 handicraft exports stood at US $ 1.79 billion. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, hopes to recover the loss in the fiscal year 2009-10.

The major strengths of the Indian handicrafts are it's cheap and abundant labor, low capital investment and the quintessential uniqueness of these crafts, since most of them are handmade. All these characteristics give Indian handicrafts a competitive edge in terms of prices and distinctiveness. Skilled Indian artisans have consistently adapted and evolved to successfully meet demands of the still- growing industry. Considering the current scenario of the worldwide handicraft industries, India needs greater technological infrastructure, innovation, better distribution channels and consolidation of the various big and small artisans, craftsmen and larger business units.

The Indian handicraft industry is concentrated in the rural and suburban areas and provides employment to over six million artisans, most of them being women. Rising demand in the west, prestige value attached to antique handicrafts and the emergence of e-commerce and Internet have been instrumental in driving the growth of the Indian handicraft industry.

Associations and Organizations
Government Bodies associated with the development of Indian handicrafts and their export and import.

Exim Policy
Know about the export import policy of the Government regarding the much in demand Indian handicraft products.

Export Benefits
List of special drawback duty offered by government of India on Indian Handicraft products.

Export Promotion Councils
These bodies act as a link between the Indian craftsmen and foreign importers, providing a common platform.

Foreign Import Offices
Addresses of foreign offices encouraging the import of handicrafts from other countries and a list of the services offered by them.

Product Classification
Standard Industry classifications and Harmonization System Codes for proper categorization of products as per international standards.

Trade Shows
Complete information on National and International trade shows on Indian gifts and handicrafts

Private Handicraft Promotion Associations
The rhythm of Indian art thrives, as people from different parts of India come together celebrating the joy of Indian traditions.

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