EPCH strengthens regional leadership & advocates “Vision 2025-35” for Handicrafts Sector

New Delhi – 26th June’2025 – The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) continues to push forward its mission of export growth and sectoral transformation through high-level engagements and strategic leadership appointments.

In a major development, Avdesh Agarwal, Member CoA EPCH and Convenor – Central Region, has been nominated as the Chief Convenor of EPCH, India. Agarwal is a seasoned industry professional with over 30 years of experience in the handicrafts sector and is widely recognized for his dedication to social work and community development. In this new capacity, he will coordinate export promotion initiatives across all regions and spearhead Council’s “Vision 2025–2035”, a forward-looking strategic roadmap aimed at expanding the global presence and sustainability of the Indian handicrafts sector informed R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.

During the meeting Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman – EPCH alongwith Members CoA – EPCH: Ravi K Passi, O.P. Prahladka, Raj Kumar Malhotra, Former Chairmen-EPCH Jesmina Zeliang; K.L. Ramesh, prominent member exporter; R. K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH and Rajesh Rawat, Addl. Executive Director, EPCH were present.

To mark this milestone, Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman – EPCH, chaired a comprehensive review meeting in EPCH House, New Delhi, with all EPCH regional offices. The Chairman-EPCH outlined his strategic vision for the exports of Indian handicrafts, with a focus on regional empowerment, digital transformation and international competitiveness. He further shared that this renewed push for inclusive growth, capacity building and visionary planning reflects Council’s unwavering commitment to strengthening India’s position as a global leader in handicrafts.

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts is a nodal agency for promotion of exports of handicrafts from the Country and create brand image of magic of the gifted hands of millions of artisans and craftspersons engaged in production of home, lifestyle, textiles, furniture and fashion jewellery & accessories products in different craft clusters of the Country. The overall Handicrafts exports during the year 2024-25 was Rs. 33,123 Crores (US $ 3,918 Million) informed by R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.