The Carpet Export Promotion Council has decided to open its Kashmir chapter office in Srinagar to help provide a robust facility for marketing Kashmiri carpets across the world, officials said Thursday.
An undertaking of the union ministry of textiles, CEPC will help the Kashmiri carpet industry explore new markets.
Principal Secretary, I&C, Sanjay Kumar told Greater Kashmir the Srinagar office of the undertaking will be of great help to the carpet weavers, traders and exporters as it would provide a bigger platform to them to sell their product.
“Kashmir carpet is known for its finesse, but there is dire need to market in a bigger way in order to capture unexplored territories. CEPC coming to Kashmir will help a great deal in this regard,” Kumar said.
“Also common facility for carpet sector is going to be a great help to local carpet artisans as it will provide them facilities such as cleaning, treating etc of the carpets.”
The CEPC, a non-profit organisation was established by exporters under companies Act in 1982 to promote and develop exports of handmade carpets, rugs and other floor coverings. It maintains the lead as the proactive day-to-day business solution provider through research and development, participating in trade fairs and expositions foreign countries.
Apart from the CEPC office, a common facility for carpet treatment will also be opened at Bagh-i-Ali Mardan here.
Kumar said the central government has also sanctioned Rs 2.10 crore for wood cluster at Pampore Journey mill, “where seasoning plant will be commissioned to provide mechanised intervention to handicraft artisans with a view to increase their product value.”
On Thursday, a high level delegation led by additional commissioner Handloom, Union textile ministry, Rakesh Jha, chairman, CEPC, Mahavir Pratap Sharma, executive director, Sanjay Kumar during their meeting with Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce to the J&K government, Shailendra Kumar finalised the formalities for opening of CEPC office.
Earlier during the day, the team interacted with artisans, carpet dealers and exporters in Srinagar during which artisans expressed happiness over the decision to open CEPC office in the city.
“Our carpet sector is dying due to economic meltdown and slump in market. We need government intervention to give a fillip to this sector,” said Majid Ahmad, a carpet weaver.
“Opening of CEPC chapter was a long pending demand which has been fulfilled, we are hopeful that our other issues will also be resolved.”
With over 2500 members and more than 20 associations of dealers, weavers and artisans’ associations CEPC espouses a shared vision of Indian businesses and speaks directly and indirectly for over 25000 business units in the country.