EPCH to set up sourcing hubs to enhance handicraft exports

New Delhi, Feb 20 (UNI) Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) plans to set up six sourcing hubs on pilot basis in the main handicraft producing pockets of the country during 2007-08 for facilitating increase in exports of handicraft items.

''We have already sent a proposal to the government for setting up sourcing hubs in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Northeast region, Uttar Pradesh and one more centre. Each hub will be costing around Rs 10 crore and Ministry of Textiles will provide financial assistance for the purpose,'' said Mr Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH, here today while briefing reporters on the commencement of the five-day-long 23rd edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (Spring) 2007, beginning February 22.

These sourcing hubs will have raw material stocks to produce any handicraft item, design centres and ready products to help exporters meet their export deadlines, he added.

The hubs will be connected to a main centre which will arrange event management shows depicting all the new products available for the export market to marketeers and retailers of the country and arrange B2B (business to business) links between them.

EPCH Executive Director expressed hope that the government will soon issue a communication to the council regarding sanctioning the sourcing hub project.

The council will formally announce the launch of the sourcing hubs in April this year after receiving a letter from the concerned authorities.

UNI