Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), apex Government body for promotion of exports of handicrafts, recently organized a seminar in Orissa to spread awareness among the primary producers, artisans, craft persons, SHG/NGO and small and tiny entrepreneurs about new marketing technologies, compliance and adoption of new technology for design upgradation, packaging and quality of products, to compete in the international markets.
Gayatri Patnaik, Managing Director of Odisha State Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation; A. K. Panigrahi, Assistant Director, from O/o DC (Handicrafts), Bhubneshwar; and Sudarshan Patnaik, Padma Shri & world famous stone artist were the guests of honour at the seminar. More than 70 craft persons and artisans, Shilp Gurus, National Awardees, representatives from NGOs, entrepreneurs and exporters took part at the seminar.
At the seminar, the participants were informed about different schemes available for the upliftment of artisans and crafts persons for promotion of handicrafts export by EPCH. They were also updated about the services offered by the body to over 9,000 member exporters all over India.
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Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH informed that Council has prepared a business plan – for the development of Orissa’s crafts – which consists of identifying the perspective entrepreneurs, design and technology support to the state as per national market requirement and marketing opportunity through national and international fairs and exhibitions. The Director further added that an exclusive Buyer Seller Meet will be organized for the handicraft sector of the state where leading buying houses and buyers will be invited by the EPCH.
In 2016-17, EPCH will be organizing over 150 seminars/workshops/soft skill programmes/design projects all over India for the betterment of the country’s handicraft industry.
