SRINAGAR: The Union Territory administration is all set to take initiatives to promote Kashmir handicrafts in Germany.
In this connection, the Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah held an extensive web meeting with Dr Suyash Chavan Consulate General of India (CGI), Germany. The online meeting dealt exclusively in reviewing the scope of developing end-to-end export linkages to provide quality handicraft products of Kashmir to the German Market in particular and rest of Europe in general so as to ensure quality products reach Germany to increase the handicraft exports to Germany, an official spokesman said.
Germany is the largest consumer of Kashmir carpets and in addition imports Chain Stitch, Paper Machie and Walnut furniture from Kashmir. As the weather of Germany is characterized by cold winters, this makes it a perfect destination for the use of Kashmiri Shawls, Rugs and Carpets.
“The tie-up shall also aim to connect art lovers and handicraft importers of Germany with exporters from Kashmir and also achieve a tie up of master craftsmen and artisans of Kashmir with art connoisseurs through digital platforms, which shall ensure long term sustainability for arts like Papier-mâché, sozni, kani shawl, basket weaving, khatamband, wood carving, silver and copper carving, carpet weaving, leather, silk and pashmina weaving amongst other crafts that Kashmir is known for in German markets,” said the spokesman.
He said that it was discussed in meeting that the participation of Handicrafts & Handloom shall be facilitated in upcoming Expos and Trade shows which shall provide an opportunity of international exposure as well as showcasing the Kashmiri art at international platforms besides selling their inventory which has remained unsold due to COVID-19 pandemic.
“To begin with, GI certified products of Kashmir shall be presented to the Consulate General of India, Germany which includes Pashmina, Khatamband, Walnut wood carving, Sozni, Kani Shawl, Hand knotted carpet, Paper Machie and Saffron for display in the Consulate General Munich office and in the exhibitions at Germany,” said the spokesman.
The consulate general was briefed about the export incentive announced by the Government on GI certified goods and about the renewed focus on Handicrafts in view of the recent UNESCO Craft listing for Srinagar City, said the spokesman, adding, he was also apprised about initiatives taken to promote artisans through Craft tours. Consulate General was also apprised about the GI labeling of Kashmir carpets and adaption of block chain mechanism to check piracy and misbranding of Kashmir handicrafts
The Consulate General expressed his desire for cross platform exchange and promotion of Departmental social media handles in Germany. The Counsel General requested for digital content like films and photographs on Kashmir craft to be promoted by counsel handle and was assured that digital content like pictures videos, brochures will be provided to CG for disseminations in German Market, said the spokesman.
