INFOCUS | DELEGATION | HANDICRAFT REPORT
Weaving the Cloth of Friendship In April this year, ICEC took a trade delegation to China for enhancement of Handicrafts Trade and the brand image promotion of Indian handicrafts in the Chinese market. The delegation was headed by Smt. Zohra Chatterji, Secretary 7H[WLOHV *RYHUQPHQW RI ,QGLD $ ÂżUVW RI LWV NLQG 0R8 ZDV VLJQHG EHWZHHQ WKH &KLQD Council for Promotion of International Trade, PRC and the Export Promotion Council for Handicraft, India for promotion of trade in the handicraft sector. Shyam Shakaran
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ith the vision of forging further ties between India and China in the textile sector, the delegation held important meetings with Indian Missions, China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) and other Chambers of trade and Industry in China. It also explored avenues for further exchange
of ideas while acknowledging each other’s long tradition of expertise in textile manufacturing, design and development. ‘Being a sun rise industry, textiles have immense scope and potential for further growth’, said Smt. Zohra Chatterji. The thrust areas were identified in initiating more Textile Exchange Programs (TEP’s) between educational institutions and specifically between
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national institutes like NIFT of India and Guangdong Industrial technical university of China. Scope of exploring further opportunities in utilizing Chinese expertise in textile machinery manufacturing to strengthen the Indian textile sector especially in weaving machineries, were also discussed. The seminar also probed the question of improving information exchange on design and craftsmanship
between the two countries. The Ministry of Textiles in India expressed its interest to explore the Chinese expertise in developing a national cluster on textile and queried whether there would be similar interest in China to have an exchange on the same. The Ministry of Textiles also expressed an interest in setting up a larger exchange program of Indian MSMEs, especially for national clusters. Other avenues for cooperation like the possibility of having a CEO summit at the BRICS level and also a fashion show of Indian and Chinese textiles were looked into. The scope of bringing in the Chinese craftsmen’s expertise to develop agro-based handicrafts in India was also discussed while conducting a thematic and exclusive exhibition of art, crafts and handicrafts of India. The exhibition of art and handicrafts of India is already being organized in many other countries such as Brazil, and the same idea was scheduled to be held in Shanghai and would include cultural shows and food festivals. The CCPIT also offered assistance in transfer of technology and knowhow in the textile machinery sector including investments and agreed to send a delegation to India. Mr. Liu Yanfeng,
CEO Shanghai textile association, discussed further on the measures to motivate Chinese weaving machinery manufacturers to invest in India. He also emphasized on organizing an International seminar- cum- textile machinery display in the coming year. A MoU was signed between CCPIT and Export Promotion Council for Handicraft (EPCH) on April 18 at CCPIT’s office. It was the first MoU of its kind between India and China to promote trade in the handicraft sector. It forged an understanding between these organizations to work in tandem for promotion of trade in furniture, gifts, art metal wares etc. An understanding was reached to work closely in areas like participation in trade fairs, buyer-seller meets, hosting of trade delegations among others. The possibility of organizing an exclusive ‘Made in India’ show in Shanghai or Guangzhou was also considered. On the side-lines, a MoU was also signed between Mr S. S. Gupta, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) & Chairman of National Centre for Design & Product Development (NCDPD) and Mr Ye Xiaoming, President, Guangdong Industry Technical College, Guangdong Univer-
sity, for the exchange of designers and trainees. Areas of skill development and technology transfer in the manufacturing techniques also formed part of the discussion. The Institution has also been invited to work closely with Indian leading design institutes such as National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Institute of Design (NID) for joint cooperation. The Indian pavilion set up by EPCH at Wan Chai, Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre was inaugurated on April 20th.Two hundred and fifty five Indian exporters participated in the exhibition showcasing a wide range of products which included a spread of kitchen textiles, window and bar accessories in textiles, home tech, items and concepts of green living, health and wellness. Furniture, kitchenware and fashion jewellery were also showcased. The other members of the delegation included Shri S.S Gupta, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Shri Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts and Shri. R.K. Srivastava, Executive Director, National Centre for Design and Product development. ‰
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