Our exports went down by Rs 500 crore last year due to the deluge. To recover this loss, we have to take some initiatives. This (Kashmir Expo) is an effort to revive the industry. The buyers appreciated our work after they saw the real people behind this craft, Sheikh Ashiq, president Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), told dna.
After suffering massive financial losses in last year's devastating floods, the world famous Kashmir handicrafts – pashmina shawls and silken carpets – are on a roll again. From Europe to Middle East, the international buyers of 21 countries made a beeline to Kashmir to buy exquisite handicrafts.
For the first time since September deluge, orders worth US $700,000 were booked on the spot in first two days for different handicrafts items, including carpets and shawls, during the Kashmir Expo -- sixth edition of international buyer-seller meet here.
"Our exports went down by Rs 500 crore last year due to the deluge. To recover this loss, we have to take some initiatives. This (Kashmir Expo) is an effort to revive the industry. The buyers appreciated our work after they saw the real people behind this craft," Sheikh Ashiq, president Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), told dna.
Official figures reveal that handicrafts worth Rs 1,287.04 crore were exported in 2014-15 which is Rs 400 crore less than 2013-14 when the total exports were recorded at 1,695.65 crore.
Official figures reveal carpet worth Rs 492 crore were exported in 2014-15 compared to Rs 551.9 crore in 2013-14. Similarly shawls worth Rs 368.2 crore were exported in the last fiscal year compared to Rs 579.72 crore in 2013-14.
"We lost everything in the floods last year. It included precious designs, sketches and carpet weaving notes. We started from zero this year. Thank God I have booked the orders for carpets worth US
$25000 from Norway," said Feroz Ahmad Bisati, co-owner of Modern Carpets.
Handicrafts are the mainstay of Kashmir's economy with lakhs of people associated with this trade. Such is the intricacies of Kashmir art that six traditional crafts of Kashmiri origin -- Pashmina, Sozni-embroidery, Kani-shawl, Papier-Mâché, Khatamband and Walnut Woodcarving -- have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) by government of India.
GI status is a sort of trademark or a patent given to the products which are indigenous to a community in a particular geographical region. The GI registration acts as certificate that the product is made by traditional methods and possesses certain qualities specific to the area and the community.
"It is our joint responsibility to see that Brand Kashmir is safeguarded and fake products in the name of Kashmir Art are not only discouraged but totally wiped out. This can only be done with active participation of all stakeholders," said Mufti Mohommad Sayeed, chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.
Elated by the success of Kashmir Expo, KCCI is now looking to take the craft at the doorsteps of the international buyers. "It (Kashmir Expo) has opened a window of opportunity for us. Now, government should come forward so that Kashmir brand reach trade fairs across globe. Time has come when we have to reach out to the world," said Sheikh Ashiq.
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