Jammu, July 2: In a bid to catch the market in Commonwealth countries, the J&K government is contemplating to market its handloom and handicraft products during the upcoming Commonwealth games in New Delhi.
According to official sources Omar Abdullah government has decided to organise series of mega marketing campaigns during the games with a view to market its handloom products. The move, according to sources, would help overcome the effects of the global recession, which adversely affected this industry during the past two years.
 “A detailed plan is being made for the same and we have already taken steps to organise Kashmir fairs during the Commonwealth games in New Delhi,” confirmed Industries Minister, Surjit Singh Slathia.
The minister said that craft men and small traders dealing in handicrafts would be sponsored by the government to display their products during the games so that they were able to attract the foreign and domestic buyers who would throng the venue for the event.
“These games are an opportunity for us to showcase our valuable handicraft products and explore new markets for them,” said Slathia
Sources said the state government has decided to lay emphasis on the promotion of the handloom and handicrafts sectors in order to enable the state to earn huge amount of foreign exchange during the games.
“The two sectors along with carpet industry are a major source of foreign income earnings for the Himalayan region,” experts said.
Government is already upgrading Pashmina, Kanishaal and Sozni crafts in Kashmir. It has launched an ambitious Rs 4 crore project in this regard after these crafts have been brought under the purview of the Geographical Indicators, sources said.
“Six handloom clusters have been modernised and the process for giving fresh look to nearly 40,000 carpet looms has been initiated at Panchayat level,” the minister claimed.
Experts said the recession had threatened the 1000 year old industry in Kashmir. “Around 200,000 weavers are associated with these crafts. These artisans produce handicraft articles that find market in Europe, USA and many other countries in the world,” experts said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 2 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST