Chairman : Dr. K.N. PrabhuVice Chairman : T.V. ChandrasekaranEditor : Rajesh Kumar Sahu, Executive Director

Editorial team : S. Sudhalakshmi Jini Varghese P. Rangasamy R.P. Rajalingam

Sundar Murugesan

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Published by Head Offi ce:THE HANDLOOM EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL(under the aegis of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India),No. 34, Cathedral Garden Road, Nungambakkam,Chennai - 600 034, India.Tel: +91-44-28278879/28276043Fax: +91-44-28271761e-mail: hepc@hepcindia.comWebsite: www.hepcindia.comMinistry of Textiles website: www.ministryoftextiles.gov.in

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1. Chairman’s Column 22. 28th Handloom Export Awardees List 33. Article 5 Handloom Export 2017-18 – An overview4. Article 12 Basics of Textiles for Beginners Major Woven Fabric Defects 5. Report 16 Seminar on “Export Strategies for Handoom Products”6. Report 18 Seminar on “Export Strategies for Handloom Products”7. Report 19 seminar on “Export Strategies for Handloom Products”

HANDLOOM EXPORTHANDLOOM EXPORTNewsletter of HandloomExport Promotion CouncilMay 2018 Vol.L No.2

2

Chairman’s Column

Dear Members,

The next financial year has rolled out and the export achievements for almost all the sectors have been declared. In spite of all the challenges faced by Indian Textile and Clothing sector, the total export figures for 2017-18 is in a slight upward trend compared to last financial year, Cotton yarn and textiles have contributed to the positive growth in the sector but RMG exports suffered a decline.

For 2017-18, Ministry of Textiles had fixed a target of US$ 45 billion for textile and clothing sector. Out of the export target of US$ 463 Million fixed for 2017-18 by Ministry for HEPC, Council has achieved around 77% of the target. As per DGCI&S export data available, export of handloom products for the FY 2017-18 US$ 353.92 million / Rs.2280.18 crore as against US$ 357.58 million / Rs.2392.21 crore for 2016-17 registering negative trend of 1.02 % in Dollar terms and 4.68% in Rupee terms. Among the top importers, eventhough USA is in the leading position, the export growth is in negative trend but there is a positive trend in the export of handloom products to UK, Spain, Germany and France. Among the other markets, Brazil and South Africa is showing good progress in the export chart. Out of product categories exported, except Madeups all the other product categories viz. Floor Coverings, Fabrics, Clothing accessories are showing declining growth of export. All the members are requested to share your views / suggestions on handloom exports and also to support the Council activities for export promotion mainly international fair participations. For 2018-19, Council has proposed for participation in 15 fairs under various schemes.

To discuss the issues pertaining to textiles sector, a joint meeting of all EPC’s with Hon’ble Finance Minister and Hon’ble Minister of Textiles was held on 27th May 2018 at New Delhi to discuss the issues pertaining to textiles sector. Our Council has represented various issues faced by handloom exporters like pending GST refunds, withdrawal of subsidies under Mill Gate Price Scheme. As per the assurance given during the meeting, a “Special drive Refund Fortnight” to clear all pending GST refunds has already been started from 31st May 2018 till 14th June. Also, request for ROSL extension for fabrics and floor coverings has been submitted during the meetings. Hope Government will take proactive steps to support the industry which is slowly recovering from the challenges since GST roll out.

As you all are aware, there is mounting pressure on Government of India to decide on phasing out the subsidies given to the exporters of textile sector based on WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Counter vailing Measure. India wanted more discussions regarding this issue and WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body has agreed to establish a panel to decide on a US complaint on the export subsidies of India which USA claims are prohibited export subsidies.

With warm regards,

Dr. K.N. Prabhu, Chairman

3

Handloom Export Award

28th Export Awardees List2014-15CATEGORY – IOverall Export Performances

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs.2014-15 Award1 Devgiri Exports, Jaipur 1994358802.00 Gold Trophy 2 ABC Industries, Mirzapur 648091378.00 Silver Trophy3 Artex Home Fashions, Panipat 363300000.00 Silver Trophy4 ILA Home Fashions, Panipat 321927423.73 Gold Medal 5 Gupta International, Panipat 312057256.00 Gold Medal 6 Sahil International (PNP), Panipat 284200000.00 Gold Medal 7 Ess Kay Enterprises, Panipat 223803425.00 Gold Medal 8 Gupta Textiles, Panipat 185462999.00 Gold Medal 9 Kwalitee Fabs,Karur 183781423.83 Gold Medal 10 Chinar International, Panipat 180380867.00 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – IIHighest increase in export over the preceding year

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Preceeding Year % growth Award1 ParvTexworld, Panipat 31684971.00 1299150 2339 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – IVFabrics

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 Sequins & Beads,Bangalore 75108553.00 Gold Trophy2 Garimaa Silks,Bangalore 32485916.00 Silver Trophy

CATEGORY – VMadeups

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 Gupta International, Panipat 167396683.00 Gold Trophy2 Cotton Concepts, Coimbatore 132200000.00 Silver Trophy3 Sahil International (PNP), Panipat 105100000.00 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – VIFloor coverings

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 Devgiri Exports,Jaipur 1968346344.00 Gold Trophy2 ABC Industries,Mirzapur 648091378.00 Silver Trophy3 ILA Home Fashions,Panipat 321927423.73 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – VIIClothing Accessories

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 S.R.Overseas,Bhagalpur 16456357.00 Gold Trophy

CATEGORY – VIIINorth Eastern Region

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 Fabric Plus Pvt.Ltd, Guwahati 3853889.00 Gold Trophy

CATEGORY – IXYoung Entrepreneur

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 ILA Home Fashions,Panipat 321927423.73 Gold Medal

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Handloom Export Award

CATEGORY – XWoman Entrepreneur

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. 2014-15 Award1 ILA Home Fashions,Panipat 321927423.73 Gold Medal

2015-16CATEGORY – IOverall Export Performances

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs 2015-16 Award1 Devgiri Exports,Jaipur 2021504394.00 Gold Trophy 2 ABC Industries,Mirzapur 543299765.36 Silver Trophy3 Gupta International, Panipat 458229502.00 Silver Trophy4 ILA Home Fashions,Panipat 363196322.00 Gold Medal 5 Sahil International (PNP), Panipat 333800000.00 Gold Medal 6 Gupta Textiles, Panipat 266648505.00 Gold Medal 7 Kwalitee Fabs,Karur 213231180.74 Gold Medal 8 Ess Kay Enterprises, Panipat 207164586.00 Gold Medal 9 Artex Home Fashions,Panipat 204900000.00 Gold Medal 10 Chinar International, Panipat 181653570.00 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – IIHighest increase in export over the preceding year

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs. % growth Award2015-16 Preceeding Year

1 Coimbatore Cotton concepts & Designs Pvt.Ltd., Coimbatore 153754000.00 22275000 590.25 Gold Trophy2 Gupta Rugs India,Panipat 71678403.00 14667824 388.68 Silver Trophy3 Stallion Home Fashion, Panipat 35500976.00 4704431 654.63 Gold Medal 4 Texfab India, Hathras (UP) 59934200.00 13421691 346.55 Gold Medal 5 Rama Traders,Karur 119400000.00 50000000 138.80 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – IVFabrics

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs 2015-16 Award1 Sequins & Beads, Bangalore 113596601.00 Gold Trophy2 GarimaaSilks,Bangalore 27366989.00 Silver Trophy

CATEGORY – VMadeups

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs 2015-16 Award1 Gupta International, Panipat 266841154.00 Gold Trophy

2Coimbatore Cotton Concepts & Designs Pvt.Ltd.,

Coimbatore156500000.00 Silver Trophy

3 Sahil International (PNP), Panipat 123400000.00 Gold MedalCATEGORY – VIFloor coverings

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs 2015-16 Award1 Devgiri Exports, Jaipur 1941744795.00 Gold Trophy2 ABC Industries,Mirzapur 543299765.00 Silver Trophy3 ILA Home Fashions,Panipat 363196322.56 Gold Medal

CATEGORY – VIIClothing Accessories

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs 2015-16 Award1 S.R.Overseas, Bhagalpur 11203593.00 Gold Trophy

CATEGORY – XWoman Entrepreneur

S.# Name of the Exporter Turnover details in Rs 2015-16 Award1 ILA Home Fashions,Panipat 363196322.56 Gold Medal

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Article

Handloom Export 2017-18 – An overviewAfter rolling out of GST, the export of handloom products during 2017-18 witnessed not much significant change in export value when compared to previous year. Export of handloom products for the period April- March 2017 was Rs.2392.21 crore/US$ 357.58 million as against Rs.2280.18 crore/US$ 353.92 million for April-March 2018 registering negative trend of 1.02 % in dollar terms and 4.68% in rupee terms.

(Source: DGCI&S data)

(A)Product wise analysis for the period April 2017-March 2018 vis-à-vis April 2016- March 2017Value US$ million

Pr oductsApl 2014-Mar 2015

Apl 2015-Mar 2016

Apl 2016-Mar 2017

Apl 2017-Mar 2018.

% growth 2017-18 vs.2016-17

CAGR for 4 years

US $ US $ US $ US $ US $ A) FabricsRMHK, Lungi, Dhotis, Sarees & other Fabrics

16.14 35.33 25.78 19.29 -25.19 4.55%

B) MadeupsBed Linen, Table Linen, Toilet & Kitchen linen, Cushion covers and other furnishing articles

188.28 173.88 181.64 197.56 8.76 1.21%

C)Floor CoveringsCarpet and Floor coverings including mats & mattings

149.57 125.27 129.89 122.25 -5.88 -4.92%

D) Clothing AccessoriesScarves, Stoles, Gloves, Mitts, Mittens etc.

13.43 25.54 20.27 14.82 -26.88 2.49%

Total (A)+(B)+( C)+(D) 367.42 360.01 357.58 353.92 -1.02 -0.93%

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Article

From the above table, it is evident that except Madeups all other product groups have witnessed negative growth.

The product groups Made ups, Floor Coverings, Fabrics and Clothing accessories contributes around 56%, 35%,5% and 4% (in dollar terms) respectively to the handloom export basket.

(B) Table Detailing Export of Handloom Products HS code wise.

Value in USD Million

S.# HS Code Product 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18% growth

2017-18 vs.2016-17

CAGR for 4 years

1 57050042

Mats And Mattings Including Bath Mats, Where Cotton Predominates By Weight, Of Handloom, Cotton Rugs Of Handloom

95.49 84.26 92.10 95.71 3.92 0.06%

2 63049291Other Furnishing Articles Of Handloom

21.49 32.68 40.77 49.25 20.79 23.03%

3 63041940Bed Sheets And Bed Covers Of Cotton, Handloom

14.30 32.71 30.46 38.93 27.82 28.46%

4 63049281 Cushion Covers Of Handloom 38.66 25.24 26.72 30.63 14.62 -5.66%

5 63026010

Toilet Linen & Kitchen Linen, Of Terry Towelling Or Similar Terry Fabrics, Of Cotton, Handloom

10.61 21.65 25.66 21.31 -16.94 19.04%

6 63049241Table Cloth And Table Covers Of Handloom

35.44 20.49 19.57 17.82 -8.94 -15.79%

7 57050024

Cotton Durries Of Handloom (Including Chindi Durries, Cotton Chenille Durries, Rag Rug Durries Printed Durries, Druggets)

33.53 27.09 23.19 13.53 -41.65 -20.30%

8 62141030 Scarves Of Silk, Handloom 11.13 24.05 18.53 13.31 -28.15 4.59%

9 63029110Other Bed Linen, Table Linen, Toilet Linen, Kitchen Linen: Of Cotton, Handloom

17.69 14.54 13.53 13.14 -2.88 -7.16%

10 57024230Carpets, Rugs And Mats Of Handloom

20.56 13.92 14.58 13.00 -10.81 -10.82%

11 50079010Other Woven Fabrics Of Handloom

0.80 11.78 14.06 11.97 -14.84 96.88%

12 63025110Other Table Linen: Of Cotton, Handloom

6.42 7.71 7.48 8.59 14.83 7.54%

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Article

13 63049231Pillow Cases And Pillow Slips Of Handloom

10.88 4.97 6.30 6.04 -4.20 -13.70%

14 52091119 Other Fabrics,Handloom 12.03 17.99 7.60 5.30 -30.26 -18.54%15 63049221 Napkins Of Handloom 8.41 5.99 4.89 4.78 -2.29 -13.18%

16 63071030Floor Cloth & The Like Of Cotton, Handloom

6.12 3.84 3.12 3.67 17.60 -11.99%

17 63049992Other Furnishing Articles Of Wool: Handloom

1.51 1.59 2.07 2.17 4.91 9.45%

18 62160020Gloves ,Mitters And Mitts Of Handloom

2.30 1.49 1.74 1.51 -13.41 -10.03%

19 52095111 Lungis Of Handloom 1.88 4.07 2.58 0.91 -64.73 -16.55%

20 63022110Other Bed Linen, Printed: Of Cotton, Handloom

15.80 1.78 0.87 0.81 -6.72 -52.40%

From the above table, top 4 handloom products viz. mat and mattings (HS 57050042), other furnishing articles (HS 63049291), bed sheets & bed covers (HS 63041940) and cushion covers (HS 63049281) that are exported evidenced with positive growth when compared to the previous year 2016-17.

The Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over past 4 years also has positive growth for the top products.

(C)Top 20 countries that handloom products are being exported

Value in USD Million

S.# Country 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18% growth 2017-18

vs.2016-17CAGR for 4

years

USD USD USD USD USD USD

1 U S A 107.77 106.13 100.08 93.10 -6.97 -3.59%

2 U K 29.63 22.42 18.45 26.14 41.66 -3.08%

3 SPAIN 8.28 11.41 15.64 21.21 35.59 26.51%

4 ITALY 15.71 17.49 19.65 18.04 -8.20 3.52%

5 GERMANY 25.37 15.41 14.91 17.81 19.44 -8.47%

6 U ARAB EMTS 5.76 19.42 18.18 16.68 -8.24 30.45%

7 FRANCE 14.84 13.14 14.54 16.33 12.28 2.42%

8 NETHERLAND 10.15 10.84 13.69 13.71 0.16 7.81%

9 AUSTRALIA 14.53 10.23 13.35 11.61 -13.03 -5.45%

10 JAPAN 11.46 11.12 11.46 11.60 1.24 0.30%

11 SOUTH AFRICA 6.51 7.97 8.32 9.76 17.33 10.65%

12 SWEDEN 8.82 8.26 8.42 8.44 0.23 -1.09%

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Article

13 CANADA 5.00 4.83 5.16 5.45 5.56 2.18%

14 BRAZIL 7.24 4.00 3.81 5.45 43.04 -6.85%

15 GREECE 3.06 4.45 6.90 5.25 -23.89 14.45%

16 BELGIUM 4.32 4.67 5.50 5.14 -6.57 4.44%

17 CHILE 4.36 6.04 5.87 4.91 -16.30 3.01%

18 DENMARK 3.73 3.20 4.39 4.67 6.35 5.78%

19 THAILAND 0.80 1.01 6.16 4.37 -29.09 52.88%

20 SRI LANKA DSR 2.45 8.60 5.57 3.22 -42.20 7.07%

Among top 5 countries, UK, Spain and Germany showed significant increase in export growth which indicates the market potential for handloom export.

The other countries which has positive export growth rates are France, Netherland, Japan, South Africa, Sweden, Canada, Brazil, and Denmark.

The country which has highest growth rate is Brazil stood at 14th position during 2017-18 when compared to 21st position during 2016-17.

(D)Top 5 Handloom products to Top 5 countries (FY 2017-18)

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Article

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Article

(E) Major importing country (HS code wise)

S.# HS Code Product Major importing country (top 5 country)

1 57050042Mats And Mattings Including Bath Mats, Where Cotton Predominates By Weight, Of Handloom, Cotton Rugs Of Handloom

USA,Italy,UK,France,Japan

2 63049291 Other Furnishing Acricles Of Handloom USA,UK,France,Australia,Germany

11

3 63041940 Bed Sheets And Bed Covers Of Cotton, Handloom Spain, UK,Italy,Germany,USA

4 63049281 Cushion Covers Of Handloom USA,Netherland,UK,Japan,Australia

5 63026010Toilet Linen & Kitchen Linen, Of Terry Towelling Or Similar Terry Fabrics, Of Cotton, Handloom

USA,UAE,Germany,Chile,NewZealand

6 63049241 Table Cloth And Table Covers Of Handloom USA,Italy,France,Chile,Germany

7 57050024Cotton Durries Of Handloom (Including Chindi Durries, Cotton Chenille Duries, Rag Rug Durrie Printed Durries, Druggets)

USA,Germany,Sweden,Italy,Finland

8 62141030 Scarves Of Silk, Handloom UAE, Thailand,Nigeria,TanzaniaRep,Afghanistan

9 63029110Other Bed Linen, Table Lenen, Toilet Linen, Kitchen Linen: Of Cotton, Handloom

USA,Netherland,Sweden,France,Australia

10 57024230 Carpets, Rugs And Mats Of Handloom USA,UK,Germany,SouthAfrica,Italy

11 50079010 Other Woven Fabrics Of Handloom UAE,USA,Netherland,UK,Belgium

12 63025110 Other Table Linen: Of Cotton, Handloom USA,Norway,Japan,Germany,UK

13 63049231 Pillow Cases And Pillow Slips Of Handloom USA,Australia,Canada,Israel,UAE

14 52091119 Other Fabrics,Handloom Srilanka,USA,Australia,Sudan,Senegal

15 63049221 Napkins Of Handloom USA,Italy,France,UK,Spain

16 63071030 Floor Cloth & The Like Of Cotton, Handloom SouthAfrica,USA,UK,Japan,Malaysia

17 63049992 Other Furnishing Articles Of Wool: Handloom USA,UK,France,Spain,Australia

18 62160020 Gloves ,Mitters And Mitts Of Handloom Netherland,USA,Australia,Italy,France

19 52095111 Lungis Of Handloom Srilanka,Indonesia,Oman,Malaysia,Singapore

20 63022110 Other Bed Linen, Printed: Of Cotton, Handloom UK,Spain,Germany,Ghana,Italy

21 52091111 Dhoti,Handloom UAE,Oman,Malaysia,Singapore,Trinidad

22 63049991 Other Furnishing Articles Of Silk: Handloom USA,Ghana,UAE,Germany,UK

23 52085920 Zari bordered Sarees Of Handloom Nepal,USA,Singapore,Mauritius,UAE

24 52091112Saree,Handloom Woven Fabrics Of Cotton containing 85% or more by Weight Of Cotton, Weighing More Than 200 G/M2, Unbleached, Plain Weave

UAE,USA,Srilanka,Nepal,Malaysia

25 51129050OthrWovnFbrcs Of Comd Wool OrComd Fine Anml Hair Of Handloom

Belgium,UAE,China,SouthAfrica,Spain

26 63049211 Counterpanes Of Handloom Japan,Nepal,Greece,Australia

27 52084121Sarees Of Handloom of Yarn of different colors,Plain weave, weighing not more than 100 g/m2

Srilanka,Singapore,Nepal,Mauritius,Qatar

28 58021950 Terry Towelling &Smlr Terry Fbrcs, Handloom Fiji,Nigeria,Srilanka,USA

29 52091114Sheeting ( Takia, Leopard Cloth &Othr Than Furnishing ), Handloom

Nepal,Srilanka

30 52084921 Real Madras Handkerchiefs Of Handloom Nepal

31 52091113 Casement,Handloom Nepal

(Note: The above analysis is based on the HS codes allotted to handloom products and as per DGCI&S data)

- Jini Varghese

S. Sudhalakshmi

Article

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Article

The major defects that can be commonly seen in a woven fabric can be classified as

a. Yarn Defects

b. Weaving Defects

1. Yarn Defects

1.1Slub

Slub is a bunch of fibres with less twist /no twist

It gives an undesirable appearance in the fabric as the diameter of slub yarn is much more than normal yarn

Slub yarn is used as a novelty yarn

1.2Coloured Flecks

Presence of foreign matters in the yarn

The foreign matters can be contaminations like seed coat, yellow fibre etc.

1.3 Knots

When the thread breaks during the preparatory process for weaving, if a knottingmachine is not used, it results in thick knot

Knots can also be caused due to excessive hairiness in the yarn

1.4 Broken Filament This can be caused because of yarn defect or during the weaving process

Basics of Textiles for BeginnersMajor Woven Fabric Defects

13

Aricle

The individual filament in the yarn may be broken due to abrasion or any sharp objects

2. Weaving Defects 2.1 Missing ends

This is characterised by a gap parallel to warp by missing warp threads

This can be minimised by effective warp stop motions

2.2 Oily / Soiled Ends

Improper handling / storage can lead to dirty and contaminated yarn

Oil droppings during the oiling of the loom can cause oily threads

2.3 Floats

Improper interlacement of warp & weft yarn in certain leads to float

A minor float in the warp or weft way is called a stitch

2.4 Weft Cracks

Presence of an open space in the weft direction or width of the fabric

14

2.5 Weft Bar

Presence of a thick and thin place in the weft direction caused by yarn count variation, twist variation, difference in color, shade etc.

2.6 Slough Off

A bunch of threads woven into fabric majorly because of faulty winding

2.7 Gout

Foreign matter woven into the fabric because of improper cleaning

2.8 Snarl

A short length of yarn which has spontaneously doubled back on itself majorly due to higher twist in the yarn

Article

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Article

2.9 Hole, Cut or Tear

Caused by sharp or cut objects/parts of the machine or faulty machine parts

2.10 Smash

Ruptured cloth structure characterised by many broken ends and floating picks.

Caused majorly due to machine faults .

2.11 Double end

More than one end working in a heald eye without the adjacent end missing majorly because of wrong drawing in

2.12 Reed Marks

A pronounced warp way crack or colored marks lengthwise

Caused majorly due to defective reed

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Article

2.13 Lashing in

An extra yarn woven into the fabric in the vicinity of selvedge

Source: Basics of Textiles& Visual Inspection System, Textile

Committee

Courtesy : ShriV.C.Selvan, EC member,HEPC

SEMINAR ON

“EXPORT STRATEGIES FOR HANDOOM PRODUCTS”

Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) organized a seminar on 27.03.2018 at Kullu on Export Strategies for Handloom Products to create awareness among the Master weavers, Exporters, Aspirant exporters, Co-operative Societies, Apex bodies and cluster executives about export procedure, facilities and assistance available from various departments of Government of India, for benefits of all the concerned in Kullu and nearby areas. The seminar organized with financial assistant of O/o. Development Commissioner for Handloom, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India under NHDP scheme.

The seminar was chaired by Shri Akshay Sood, Addl. District Magistrate, Kullu & Shri Satya Prakash Thakur, President, Bhutti Weavers Co.op. Soc. Ltd., Kullu was the Guest of honour.

Shri R. P. Rajalingam, HEPC welcomed the guests and felicitated them with bouquet and also welcomed all the participants & media persons. There were about 40 entrepreneurs have participated in the Seminar.

Shri Akshay Sood, AMD, Kullu District, has addressed the gathering and appreciated HEPC’s effort to sensitize the Handloom Entrepreneurs in Kullu. He also urged them to get associated with HEPC to avail more and more benefits.

Report

17

Report

Associate Prof. Asit Bhatt, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh made a power point presentation on “Color Trends and Visual Merchandising”. In his presentation, he briefed about the trends, colour forecasts, importance of color in Fashion. He also briefed about the importance of Visual Merchandising through various pictures in his presentation.

Shri R.P. Rajalingam made power point presentation on export benefits. He also briefed about the Export Trends, Council activities, Calendar of events for the year 2018-19 & Procedure to obtain membership of the Council and its benefits to members. He also requested the entrepreneurs to come forward to participate in events organized by HEPC to explore the export market and avail the benefits with HEPC registration.

Shri P. Daripa, Assistant Director, WSC, New Delhi made a presentation on Bunkar Mitra, India Handloom Brand, E-Commerce and Indian Handmade Bazar. In his presentation, he briefed about the registration process to obtain the India Handloom Brand & benefits of registration of IHB. He also explained the benefits of Bunkar Mitra and E-commerce.

Shri S.S. Shinde, Manager, NHDC, Kullu briefed about schemes of NHDC. Shri S P Thakur urged HEPC to arrange for a representative in the Executive Committee. He also emphasized for separate HS codes for Handloom Woolen Shawls.

The seminar concluded with vote of thanks by Shri R.P. Rajalingam.

- R.P. Rajalingam

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Report

Seminar on “Export Strategies for Handloom Products”Handloom Export Promotion Council organized seminar on Export Strategies for Handloom Products at Kokrajhar, Assam on 23rd March 2018 under financial assistance from NHDP scheme, O/o Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India.

Shri N. N. Rana Patgiri, Managing Director, BRAWFED, presided over as the Chief Guest for the Seminar and Mr. D. Goshwami, Director, Handloom & Textiles, BTC, was the guest of honour.

Ms. Niranjana Das, Principal, SIFT, made a Presentation on “Color Trends and Visual Merchandising” and Mr. Mrinal Jyoti Saikia, Trade Facilitation Officer, HEPC, Guwahati, made a presentation on the activities of HEPC.

This was followed by a presentation on “India Handloom Brand (IHB), Bunkar Mitra Indian Handmade Bazar” by Mr. O.P.Kotnala, Deputy Director, WSC, Guwahati and “Bank benefits for Handloom Weavers/Entrepreneurs” by Mr. Omkar Bharti, Deputy Manager, State Bank of India,Kokrajhar. Nearly 45 attendees comprising of Master weavers, Exporters, Aspirant exporters, NGO’s and cluster executives participated in the Seminar.

The seminar ended with vote of thanks by Secretary, BRAWFED.

- Mrinal Jyoti Saikia,TFO

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Report

Report on the seminar -Export Strategies for Handloom Products held on 22/03/2018 at Silver Platter, Hotel Silver Cloud, Ahmedabad

The seminar commenced with a presentation on “Export Strategies” by Shri S.Gurusaranaraj, AD, HEPC. Earlier, membership forms were distributed to all the participants and the presentation detailed the Handloom products, product range, export performance of Handloom sector, product mix, key markets, top 20 markets, objectives & role of The Handloom Export Promotion Council, procedure & benefits on becoming member, proposed events for the year 2018-19, initiatives undertaken by the Council etc..

20

Report

Thereafter, Chief Guest, Shri A.K.Rakesh IAS, Principal Secretary & Commissioner, Cottage & Rural Industries, Govt. of Gujarat, Gandhinagar addressed the audience. He stressed on the need for product diversification and opined that more such outreach programmes have to be organised at Ahmedabad with more participants. Shri A.K.Jha, IFS, M.D., Gujarat State Handloom &Handicrafts Development Corporation and Director, The Gujarat Rajya Handloom, Handicraft Audyogic Sahkari Federation Ltd., also participated in the seminar.

The second presentation on “E-Commerce” was made by Dr.Tamanna Chaturvedi, Consultant & Coordinator, IIFT. She explained in detail the need, procedure, benefits of E-Commerce, online buying pattern of buyers, potential of E-Commerce, need to design products suited to international markets, sample E-Commerce sites were showcased for better understanding. Later, Ms.Sumitha Agrawal, Assistant Professor, NIFT made a presentation on “Color Trends” explaining about the importance of color, color trends, color forecasts, color palettes, target markets, etc.

Ms.JalpaVanikar, Assistant Professor, NIFT made a presentation on “Visual Merchandising” elucidating about the need, importance & nuances of visual merchandising, strategies to attract buyers in fairs, current trends, sample photos of display, etc. Finally, Shri H.K.Gupta, Director, WSC, Ahmedabad made a presentation on India Handmade Bazaar, Bunkar Mitra, India Handloom Brand -procedure & benefits, standard operating procedures.

The seminar was well attended by representatives from apex cooperative societies, Indian Handloom Brand registered organisations, weavers, manufacturers, etc. After the presentation, HEPC Official clarified the doubts of representatives of companies who had expressed their interest in taking up membership. The seminar ended with vote of thanks by Shri S.Gurusaranaraj, AD, HEPC.

- S.Gurusaranaraj, AD