Varanasi and Moradabad declared as ‘Town of Export Excellence’ for Handicrafts under Foreign Trade Policy 2023
Varanasi , Moradabad, Faridabad and Mirzapur have recently been included in the list of ‘towns of export excellence’ in the new Foreign Trade Policy released on 31st March. From Banarasi dupatta, wooden toys, meenakari jewellery to the famous Banarasi brocade and silk saree, Kashi is a hub of GI-certified handmade products.
It is among four new towns of export excellence declared in addition to the already existing 39 towns of export excellence.Other are Faridabad for apparel, Moradabad for brass handicrafts,..Mirzapur for handmade carpet and dari, and Varanasi for handloom and handicraft.
So far, Varanasi alone has a share of nine GI-tagged goods out of 33 products produced in entire Uttar Pradesh. The adjoining Mirzapur district also produces GI-tagged handmade carpets and dhurries.
‘Banarasi brocade and sarees’ is the first GI product of Varanasi that got the certification in 2008-09. After getting the GI tag, tremendous increase in the demand and sale of the product was
This inclusion will make these towns eligible for enhanced financial provision for marketing, capacity building and infrastructure under various Government schemes.
The Handicrafts Sector has been given due recognition in this FTP 2023 and some of the major provisions include the following:-
- The Status holder export thresholds have been rationalized.
- All FTP benefits are to be extended to the e-Commerce exports and the value limit for exports through courier services is extended from Rs. 5 lacs to Rs. 10 lacs.
- Special outreach and training activities for small e-commerce exporters.
Special Amnesty scheme for one-time settlement of default in export obligation by Advance Authorization and EPCG authorization holders being introduced.
EPCH is a nodal agency, promoting exports of handicrafts from the Country to various destinations of the world and projecting India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts goods & services.
The Handicrafts exports during the year 2021-22 was Rs. 33253.00 Crores (US$4459.76 Million) and during April-February’ 2022-23 is Rs. 28,727.91 Crores and USD 3505.84 Million informed by R.K. Verma, Executive Director-EPCH.
