EXPORT AWARDS TO HANDICRAFTS EXPORTERS AND LAUNCH OF HANDICRAFTS & CARPET SECTOR SKILL COUNCIL ON 18TH MARCH, 2015 – EPCH

EXPORT AWARDS TO HANDICRAFTS EXPORTERS AND LAUNCH OF HANDICRAFTS & CARPET SECTOR SKILL COUNCIL ON 18TH MARCH, 2015 – EPCH
New Delhi – 16 March, 2015 – The awards for outstanding performance in exports of handicrafts for the year 2012-13 will be distributed on the 18th March, 2015 to 68 companies involved in handicrafts production and exports at the Convention Hall, hotel Ashok”, Chankayapuri, New Delhi alongwith (three) Life Time Achievement Awards, 02( two) Special Commendation for outstanding contribution towards promotion of Handicrafts Sector.

Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (IC) & Parliamentary Affairs will be the Chief Guest. Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge) will Preside Over the award function and distribute Awards/Trophies to 68 exporters alongwith (three) Life Time Achievement Awards, 02( two) Special Commendation for outstanding contribution towards promotion of Handicrafts Sector during the above ceremony. Shri S.K. Panda, Secretary (Textiles) and Shri S.K. Biswas, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) will grace the occasion beside luminaries from the trade and industry, exporters of handicrafts and press and media said Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.

The institution of export awards on yearly basis has been evolved and is being implemented by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts [ EPCH ], which is an apex body for handicrafts promotion and exports. The present distribution of awards will be the 20th in series. It will be held at The Convention Hall, Hotel Ashok, New Delhi.

Coinciding with the distribution of export awards, Hon’ble Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will also launch the Handicrafts & Carpet Sector Skill Council which is a new institution and aims to promote skill development amongst artisans, craftpersons and workers of handicrafts and carpet products. It will be important to mention that the Prime Minister of India has laid tremendous importance to development of skill for producing uniform and quality products which can compete with other products in the International market. This Council will be responsible for developing occupational standards, setting up labour market information and introduce certification & assessment mechanism and guidance in all aspects of skill development to the artisans, craftspersons and workers. The Council will operate from New Delhi further added Shri Rakesh Kumar –ED – EPCH.

The export awards which are being given to 68 companies from different regions and states of the country are based on the export performance of these companies for the year 2012-13. The

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selection of companies is made by the Committee headed by O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) which consider the performance of various applicants and select the final recipients on the basis of their export performance under various product categories and various regions further elaborated Mr. Rakesh Kumar.

He informed that M/s C.L. Gupta Exports Ltd, Moradabad will receive trophy of top export award for their performance in all product categories of handicrafts. In addition to this, there will be 23 recipients of trophies under each product category which includes Artmetelaware, EPNS Handicrafts, Woodwares, Zari Handicrafts, Lace, Laces & Embroidery, India Items, Textiles based handicrafts, fashion jewellery, marble alabaster & crafted stone, papiermachie, iron crafts, jute handicrafts, glass, artware, ceramic artwares, aluminium artwares, aggarbatties as handicrafts, handicrafts of handmade paper products, handicrafts of leather, handicrafts of Eco friendly, shawls as artwares, handicrafts of smoking accessories and misc. crafts.

41 merit certificates will also be given for top exports in different product categories. Two trophies will be given for top export performance on regional basis alongwith Five merit certificates. Hat Trick trophy will be given to three companies for excellence in exports of EPNS handicrafts, Iron crafts and aluminium artwares. Five types of awards are given to exporters under 23 qualified product categories in addition to merit certificates, regional certificates and awards etc.

Shri Amar Chand Ahuja of M/s Amarsons Exports, Rajasthan, Shri Ravish Khanna of M/s Sunbeam Silver Art Industries from Moradabad and Shri S.P. Dadoo of m/s Blue Art Flower Vases Works, Khurja Uttar Pradesh will be receiving the Lift Time Achievement awards for their contribution to the handicrafts trade.

Shri Nazmul Islam of M/s Fine Finish Handicrafts, Moradabad and Shri Rajan Puri of Roots India, New Delhi will be receiving the special commendation for outstanding contribution to promotion of Handicrafts exports.

The export awards were instituted by EPCH in the year 1989 under the overall supervision and guidance and control of O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts). The objective was to create sense of healthy competition within the exporting community to achieve more and more so that exports of handicrafts continue to grow year after year. Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, an apex body of Handicrafts have been implementing these awards over the years.

Handicraft export has been growing at an average annual growth rate of 15% during the last decade. However, growth during the current year was 30.80% in rupee terms and 17.55% in dollars terms as compared to previous year. Exports of handicrafts during the year 2013-14 was Rs. 23,504.42 crore, informed Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH
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