The exports of handicrafts from the state has shown a declining trend in spite of the fact that the region is rich in rural handicrafts.

Exports in the year 2005-06 were worth Rs 301.3 crore only, whereas, national exports were worth Rs 14, 526.85 crore during the same period.

The state has not been able to keep pace with the increase in exports at the national level.

Handicraft exports at the national level had almost doubled from Rs 83,430 crores in 2002-03, whereas exports from West Bengal has marginally increased from Rs 226 crores in the same year.

P K Agarwal, Principal Secretary of Land and Land Reforms, gave these figures at a seminar titled “Entrepreneurship development for rural artisans in the field of Indian Handicrafts”. The seminar was organised by the Eastern Chamber of Commerce.

Agarwal said, “Although good handicrafts are available, yet there is no market for them. We have to develop handicrafts that can be exported. We can increase the cost but the finishing and packaging should be taken care of.” The state has five lakh artisans. The government provides them support in the form of training programmes, district and state-level handicraft competitions, various export fares and even a pension scheme of Rs 400 per month for 1,000 elderly artisans above 60 years. However, actual figures tell a different story.

Information from: in.news.yahoo.com

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