Kashmiri Handicraft Exports
Kashmiri handicraft exports plummet 44 % in five years, raises distress
Srinagar/IBNS: In a worrying trend, Kashmiri handicraft exports are witnessing a downward spiral due to constant decline in export figures in the last five years by by 44 percent.
As per the official figures accessed by Greater Kashmir, from Rs 1,151 crore (cr) exports of handicraft items in the financial year 2016-17, the export figures are presently at Rs 635 crore in 2020-21.
In 2017-18, the complete export figure stood at Rs 1,090 cr, Rs 917 cr in 2018-19, and Rs 935 cr in 2019-20.
This downtrend trend has put Kashmiri handicraft exporters in distress, as they complain of incurring huge losses mostly from the last three years since 2019, when the special status of J&K was read down.
Following that, restrictions, internet suspension and covid19 induced lockdowns added to export market's revival issues.
President at Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), Sheikh Ashiq, said: “It is a distressing situation for us, we are incurring losses, exporters have been hit hard in Kashmir since 2019.
"The global pandemic has affected all sectors of the economy and the export sector is one of the worst-hit. But our problem started in 2019 when Kashmir was under restrictions as a result of which exporters were not able to deliver their consignments on time."
“We aim to increase our export figures to Rs 1,000 crore by next one year," he said.
In order to give a fillip to handicrafts exports, the government has announced the operational guidelines to avail the export subsidy after the same was cleared by the administrative council, a senior official said.
The main objective of the export subsidy is to provide promotional measures to boost the handicrafts and handloom exports from Jammu and Kashmir.
Under the scheme, an incentive of 10 percent of the total volume of handicraft/handloom products exported to any country with a maximum reimbursement of five crore (whichever is lesser) will be provided to the eligible exporters who are registered with the Handicrafts and Handloom Department.
The export subsidy shall be applicable for Geographical Indication (GI) products that will be certified by the quality control wing/ testing lab of the Handicrafts Department and shall not be entitled on machine-made stuff.
In case the origin of exports is outside J&K, it shall have to be accompanied by an e-way bill.
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