Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh inaugurates EPCH office in Patna, Bihar
Patna, Bihar – 28th September 2024: Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Textiles, Government of India, inaugurated the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) office at Patna today. The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries including Nitish Mishra, Hon’ble Minister of Industry & Tourism, Govt. of Bihar; Smt. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles; Dileep Baid, Chairman-EPCH; R. K. Malhotra, Ravi K. Passi, Rajesh Kumar Jain, Members of CoA EPCH, Nikhil Dhanraj Nippanikar, Director, Upendra Maharathi Shilp Anusandhan Sansthan (UMSAS), R.K. Verma, Executive Director EPCH; along with senior officers of Govt. of Bihar, exporters, industry leaders, and media representatives.
In his address, Giriraj Singh underlined the significance of EPCH Patna office for accelerating the growth and promotion of Bihar’s handicraft sector that will focus to enhance the design trends, packaging, quality compliance and provide international marketing linkages. Hon’ble Minister informed that the government is committed towards creating a dynamic ecosystem to boost entrepreneurship for export growth and provide exposure of new business trends to the artisans of Bihar. This new office will serve as a facilitator for incubating self-reliance and economic growth of Bihar’s handicrafts sector. He called upon the youth and women of Bihar to come forward and shine the name of Bihar in global handicrafts export market. Hon’ble Minister informed that current Exports of handicrafts from Bihar which is Rs 30 crores will be promoted to increase by 3 times in the years to come. He urged the gathering to embrace “vocal for local and local for global (Village to Global)”. He also mentioned that we need to take help of AI and 3D technology for new design development in Handicrafts sector. He has suggested to Industry Minister, Govt of Bihar to open store at Patna and Delhi Airport to promote the Handicraft of Bihar.
Nitish Mishra, Minister of Industry & Tourism, Govt. of Bihar, emphasized the office’s role in economic growth. This new EPCH office will act as a catalyst for expanding Bihar’s exports and through this office we are setting the stage for Bihar to emerge as a leader in the global handicrafts industry. This initiative will stimulate investment, create jobs, and drive economic growth, transforming the state’s industries into export powerhouses.” He mentioned that we are lacking in Packaging, Design and Product Development in comparison to other States. In the times to come, UMSAS will work with full potential to strengthen the handicraft sector. We will coordinate and support the effort of Govt. of India for handicrafts sector in Bihar.
He thanked the Hon’ble Minister and DC Handicrafts for opening this office and will closely work with EPCH office for strengthening of Handicraft Sector and will increase the export. He informed that “Bihar hai Tayar” for progress growth and development.
Smt. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, said that the EPCH office in Bihar will implement various project-based interventions with the support of DC Handicrafts through backward and forward linkages to boost handicrafts export growth.” She also mentioned that O/o Development Commissioner Handicraft has already sanctioned 30CR to Bihar Govt. under CHCDS scheme of the department for implementation of various activities in Bihar for strengthening of Handicraft Sector of Bihar. EPCH in office in Patna will help handicraft artisan of Bihar with Skill/Capacity enhancements such as Design Development, Packaging and also provide market access.
Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH, said that the opening of EPCH office in Patna is a landmark move in our ongoing efforts to empower entrepreneurs and uplift the handicrafts sector on pan India basis. With an emphasis on design intervention, market linkages, and trade promotion, we are confident that Bihar’s handicrafts will see exponential growth in exports, leading to greater visibility and profitability for the state’s industries.” He informed that we will closely work with the artisans and entrepreneurs and will offer orders for bags and textiles products to them in the immediate future.
R. K. Verma, Executive Director of EPCH said that EPCH office in Patna is an investment in the future of Bihar’s handicrafts exports. By equipping entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed—whether through improved designs, adherence to global quality standards, or direct access to international buyers—we expect a significant boost in the state’s export potential. Our goal is to see Bihar recognized as a key exporter in the global handicrafts sector.”
EPCH serves as the nodal agency for promoting the export of handicrafts from India to various global destinations, projecting India as a reliable supplier of high-quality handicrafts. In the financial year 2023-24, handicraft exports reached Rs. 32,758.80 crore (US $ 3,956.46 million), registering a growth of 9.13% in rupee terms and 6.11% in dollar terms compared to the previous year. The exports of handicrafts from Bihar are around Rs. 30 crores in 2023-24 as shared by R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.
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