J&K : GLOBAL SUPPLIER OF HANDICRAFTS

Minister for I&C Chander Prakash Ganga said the BJP-PDP coalition government is working on a well-knit strategy to project J&K’s image as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts as per international standards and specifications to make the state a hub of world famous craft products. He said this while reviewing working of Handicraft Department and Corporation.

The Minister said the government would seek professional advice in technology up-gradation, quality and design improvement, standards and specifications, product development and latest innovations. “The focus would be on skill development and expertise enhancement among the artisans in potential areas through reputed training institutes to meet market trends”, he maintained.

Besides, exploitation of artisans by the middleman would be weeded out.

He stressed the need for extending advanced training to unemployed youth with emphasis on kandi and border areas in view of vast potential of various traditional crafts like calico printing, jute, bamboo and chikri wood products.

MORBI TILE INDUSTRY STRUGGLES

Stagnant demand has led to a situation of excess capacity for wall tile manufacturers in Gujarat’s Morbi district. Adding to their woes is higher production costs, leading to tougher competition for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from Chinese products, which are becoming viable in the global market.

In the past year, wall tile manufacturers’ production capacity has increased by about 30 per cent, while actual demand has declined by nearly 40 per cent.

The secretary of the Morbi Dhuva Glaze Tiles Association said that the ceramic industry in Morbi is not expected to emerge from the over-capacity situation for the next two years. Overall business, he said, will be down by at least 20 per cent over the next two years.

The ceramic tiles industry in Morbi had shut down operations for almost two months in November-December 2013 as a sign of protest, and had been demanding cheaper gas and reduction in excise duty and value added tax.

 BANGLADESH’S FASHION DESIGNER VISITING RAJASTHAN STATE

Bangladesh’s prominent fashion designer Bibi Russell is visiting India’s Rajasthan state as a ‘state guest’.Rajasthan Khadi and Gram Udyog Board has invited her to help develop artisans and crafts.

Her visit is part of a Rajasthan government project to create a “modern and internationally appealing interpretation of heritage Rajasthani textiles”.

On April 26, the Rajasthan Khadi and Village Industries Board will hold a show in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, along with two other designers at which Bibi Russell’s works will also be showcased.

Bibi Russell’s work has been internationally recognised and she has received several prestigious awards from around the world.