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New Delhi : Union Textiles Minister Smriti Zubin Irani presented awards to handicrafts exporters for their outstanding performance in exports for the year 2015-16 and 2016-17 at a function at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR, on December 18, 2018, evening.
Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta and Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Shantmanu were also present on the occasion. The awards for outstanding performance of handicrafts exports were given under different categories to 136 exporters. Seventy awards were given for the year 2015-16 and 66 awards were distributed for the year 2016-17 during the ceremony.
Speaking on the occasion, Textiles Minister Irani said that export awards always inspire the artisans to make better quality products and encourage others to make greater efforts so that they may win the award the following year. She further said that this healthy competition keeps the momentum going not only for the individual but also paves the way for the country to earn foreign exchange thereby creating a brand image of millions of artisans and craft persons engaged in making world class products across different craft clusters in the country.
The Textiles Minister applauded the performance of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) for being the best in the business and doing excellent work since its inception in every field whether it is setting up of infrastructure facilities in craft clusters, creating brand image of handcrafted products worldwide and helping exporters in innovating new designs and styles. She also appreciated EPCH for starting a diploma course for the children of the artisans working in the handicraft sector and urged EPCH to start an award scheme for those exporters who help the artisans in need and also contribute to their uplift, according to a PIB release.
The handicrafts exports during the year 2015-16 was to the tune of Rs 21,557.12 crores which touched Rs 24,392.39 crore in 2016-17 with an overall increase in exports of 13.15% in rupee terms and 10.52% in dollar terms. The handicraft exports during 2018-19 went ahead to the tune of Rs 16,825.75 crore during April-November 2018-19.