KCCI flags decline in handicraft exports, seeks support

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 9: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Javid Ahmad Tenga today voiced concern over the decline in handicraft exports from Kashmir, calling for greater participation of artisans and exporters in national and international fairs.
He said such initiatives would help strengthen the handicraft sector and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India the world’s third-largest economy.
The KCCI president made these remarks during an interaction with Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, at the Government Arts Emporium, here.
He also pressed for the reintroduction of a 3% interest subvention on export finance for small exporters and artisan businesses.
Tenga further warned of the growing intrusion of cheap imitation products, which he said threaten the authenticity of Kashmiri crafts.
He urged that artisans and exporters from the Valley be given dedicated participation in reputed fairs, particularly Reverse Buyer-Seller Meets (RBSM), with specific stalls for KCCI members to directly engage global buyers.
At the outset, Tenga welcomed the GST Council’s decision to reduce GST on handicraft items from 12% to 5%, appreciating Prime Minister Modi’s vision.
He also called for a dedicated warehousing facility for Kashmiri handicrafts at Dubai Mart, an issue already taken up with Union Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal.
On the ROSCTL scheme, Tenga pointed out that woollen and Pashmina shawls are capped at Rs 438 per piece in benefits, even though authentic handmade shawls range between Rs 7,000 and Rs 1 lakh.
He demanded removal of the cap and restoration of FOB-based incentives under the earlier MEIS scheme. The Textiles Secretary suggested KCCI make a detailed representation, which she said would be looked into.
Tenga further proposed recognition of North Kashmir as a “Carpet Cluster,” similar to the Handloom Village status given to Kanihama in Budgam, and urged notifying artisan-dense districts as Handicraft Clusters.
He also sought structured market study tours and trade delegations to Europe and the Middle East, identified as core markets for Kashmiri crafts.

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