SRINAGAR: The Director Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir, Mahmood Ahmad Shah, today reviewed an exercise being done with regard to providing exclusive marketing opportunities and support to the artisan and weaver community in a meeting held with the officers of the Department and other stakeholders here.
It was given out that the Department of Handicrafts & Handloom Kashmir is exploring all opportunities to extend its exhibition programme to potential spots spread all over the country.
It was decided in the meeting that the peak season for the Kashmir crafts which is between November, 2022 to March, 2023 shall be harnessed to achieve the maximum sale. Besides, the exhibitions shall bring together an all-inclusive cross-section of different crafts.
It was also decided that 60% of the stalls which are allotted to the artisans/weavers and Cooperatives free of cost shall be reserved exclusively for GI-registered crafts.
The department has taken several initiatives to provide a stimulus to the handicraft industry by extending enhanced business opportunities for the artisans and weavers which shall in turn lead to their employment generation.
The exhibitions shall be thoughtfully conceptualized wherein the artisans, weavers, unit holders, and Industrial Cooperative societies shall put on sale and display famed Kashmir crafts including stoles & scarves, shawls, embroidered protective wear accessories, and components.
The aim of departmental exhibitions is to display and exhibit the handicrafts and handloom products of Jammu and Kashmir by bringing the exhibitors and visitors from all over the world to connect with them.
The department is holding exhibitions in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Chennai. In addition, the Department will also participate in the IITF-2022, PITEX 2022, CII fair, Dili Haat, HGH New Delhi, and Suraj Kund fair. The objective of this exercise is to provide marketing opportunities to the artisans and manufacturers to dispose of their inventory which has piled up due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
