Handicraft department generates Rs 7763 crore revenue through exhibitions

Sales mark to touch Rs 1200 crore: Kawoosa 

                                                                                                                        

 The Jammu and Kashmir handicraft department has generated revenue of Rs. 7763 crore from the exhibitions held in various states of the country during the last two years. According to reports, the department has witnessed nearly 34 percent boost in the overall sales of the products exported to different states during the fiscal year of 2010-11 as compared to last business period.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

In 2010, the department witnessed sale of Rs 661.24 crore, while in the last year it has reached the mark of Rs 1004 crore."On every passing year the sales are increasing. We have exported very good amount of goods in fiscal year the sales of handicrafts goods exported to different Indian markets were nearly rupees 700 crore which raised to more than rupees 1000 crore in 2010-11 which is the all time high sales so far" Publicity and Exhibition officer Handicrafts department, Reyaz Kawoosa told State Observer.                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                               "The department is expecting good sale in the coming years. The sales during 2009-10 were all time high," he added.          

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Kawoosa said that the department expects the sales mark to touch Rs 1200 crore."The department has also generated revenue of Rs. 7763 crores from the 15 national exhibitions it (department) had organized in different Indian states during the years of 2010 and 2011," he added.      

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The handicrafts department had registered more than hundred corporation societies and covered 4423 artisan under the insurance schemes for the revival and development of the handicrafts. The boost in sales has also encouraged the traders associated with the handicraft industry considered to be the backbone of the state's economy. "Kashmiri handicrafts have the tremendous potential in the national and international arena. Be it Kashmiri carpet, shawls, paper machie all are exported to different parts of the world from Kashmir," Ali Mohammad, a carpet dealer told this newspaper.