Handicrafts exports registered an increase of 6.55% at Rs 8,718.94 crore during 2009-10, up by Rs 538.28 crore as against Rs 8,183 crore in 2008-09 in rupee terms.
The handicrafts exports figure grew 1.8% in dollar terms at $1,830.23 million during 2009-10, up by $32.35 million compared to the previous fiscal, according to the provisional export data released by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
According to the chairman, EPCH, Raj Kumar Malhotra, handicrafts figures in the past have shown consistent growth in exports till 2006-07.
On an average, exports increased by 10% per annum till 2006-07.
However, due to recession in the global market, exports of handicrafts had fallen considerably.
As against Rs 17,288 crore in 2006-07, the exports came down to Rs 14,012 crore in 2007-08 and further to Rs 8,183 crore in 2008-09.
?The government had to take corrective and supportive action to check the decline in exports by announcing various schemes and support systems for exporters so that they can withstand the fierce competition in the global market arising out of economic downturn. As a result, the exports started picking up in 2009-10,? Malhotra added.
An increase in exports of handicrafts has been registered in almost all categories of products.