India number one carpet exporter: Jairam Ramesh

Varanasi, Sep 8 (UNI) Lauding the role of carpet industry of Varanasi-Bhadohi in making India become 'number one' in carpet exports during 2005-06, Union Minister of State for Commerce Jairam Ramesh today said problems of hand-knotted carpet makers will be dealt urgently.

''The local carpet industry has played a pivotal role in making Indian carpet 'number one' in the world once again, especially as 60 per cent of the total export, valued at 800 million US dollars (Rs 3,500 crore) in 2005-06, emanated from the Varanasi-Bhadohi carpet belt,'' he told mediapersons here.

A three-day reverse buyer-seller meet from October 14, will be organised in Varanasi where the biggest carpet buyers from abroad interact with the carpet industry, Mr Ramesh said.

The ministry has also sanctioned a sum of Rs four crore to the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) to promote export of 'India Brand Carpets'.

Mr Ramesh while assuring to look into the problems of hand-knotted carpet makers, particulary those pertaining to marketing, admitted that the Indian Institute of Carpet Technolgy (IICT) in Bhadohi set up for small carpet weavers had failed to benefit their interests.

''I will soon study the matter followed by remedial steps,'' the Minister assured.

Agreeing to Eastern UP Exporters Association, Mr Ramesh said the present import duty of 43 per cent on yarns and only 28 per cent on fabric was not plausible.

''How can one justify costlier raw silk and cheaper cloth,'' he said, adding a recommendation to the concerned Union Ministry will soon be made to reverse the duty structure.

Mr Ramesh also urged the exporters to join hands with the government in addressing the problems of no diversity in handloom products, staid designs and improper marketing.

''Over dependence on Banarasi Saree is not commercially viable for handloom weavers and diversification into other silk products, besides products made from other fabric, was needed,'' the minister said.

He claimed big buyers like apparel houses -- Fab India, Pantaloon and Anokhi -- are eager to buy fabric from Banaras. ''I have heard that Italian fashion house --Armani-- sources fabric from Varanasi, but we need to bring Ambanis (big national buyers) to the city.'' The Minister also said a sum of Rs two crore has been released for cluster development schemes this year, which will benefit at least 5,000 loom owners in the region. Efforts were also being made to reduce infrastructure constraints.

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