EPCH pledges to expand global reach for artisans

Srinagar, Dec 28: The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) Saturday organized an interactive Session on “Design, Trends, Forecast and Export Compliances” in Srinagar with a pledge to expand the global reach for artisans.
A statement issued here said that the event focused on the latest trends in design and compliance, aiming to equip local exporters with essential knowledge for the upcoming season.
Key attendees included Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman EPCH, Raj Kumar Malhotra, former chairman EPCH; Ravi K Passi, former Chairman EPCH, Arshad Mir, Member CoA-EPCH, Amla Shrivastava, Assistant Director Design-EPCH and prominent exporters and media representatives from the Kashmir region.
Arshad Mir, Member CoA-EPCH, welcomed participants and emphasized EPCH’s ongoing CSR initiatives, such as health check-up camps and educational support for artisans’ children. He also highlighted the collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to enhance testing capabilities for pashmina products through the Advanced Centre for Pashmina Certification Lab at Dehradun.
Dileep Baid, Chairman EPCH, discussed the council’s commitment to organizing seminars across India and invited exporters to participate in the “IHGF April Fair 2025,” set to take place from April 16 to April 19 at India Expo Centre.
Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman, EPCH, stressed the importance of skill enhancement and market adaptability, encouraging exporters to embrace digital marketing and e-commerce to expand their global reach.
Raj Kumar Malhotra, Former Chairman-EPCH, highlighted the importance of complying with international standards, noting that 70% of Indian handicraft exports target compliance-conscious markets, where global buyers prioritize suppliers with high workplace and environmental standards.
Ravi K. Passi, Former Chairman-EPCH, motivated young entrepreneurs from Kashmir to engage with EPCH and explore new avenues for expanding their exports. Amla Shrivastava, Assistant Director Design-EPCH, presented insights into the Spring/Summer 2026 season, emphasizing minimalism, botanical trends, and the need to modernize traditional crafts for contemporary appeal.
The session concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, addressing concerns related to design, product development, and export compliance, leaving participants with actionable takeaways to enhance their business strategies.
The EPCH continues to promote India’s handicrafts globally, creating a strong brand image for the country’s artisans. Handicraft exports in 2023-24 amounted to Rs. 32,759 Crores (US $ 3,956 Million), with a growth of 9.13% in rupee terms and 6.11% in dollar terms. Exports from Jammu & Kashmir during this period were valued at Rs. 15.64 Crores.