HEPC eyeing handloom exports worth Rs 1,350 cr

MADURAI: The Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) will participate in overseas textile festivals during this year for identification of new markets and better penetration in existing ones to achieve the export target of Rs 1,350 crore, a top official said.

"We plan to participate in festivals across 20 countries, including United States, Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, South Africa, Japan and Brazil," HEPC Executive Director Beela Rajesh said during a seminar on 'Export Procedures and documentation in Handlooms' organised by the council here on Tuesday.

He said that handloom goods worth Rs 960 crore were exported from April to December 2009.

The council decided to set up three more design centres at Varanasi and Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh and Bhubaneswar in Orissa. These centres would help handloom weavers improve product quality and design and thereby, fetch a better price.

The allocation of HS or harmonised code for handloom products would help them acquire a distinct identity, and they can be positioned as eco-friendly. The code would also help in data collection, analysis and trend-forecasting.

Small Industries Product Promotion Organisation (SIPPO) chairman S Rajagopal said that handloom industry players were becoming complacent, and they should go for products with different designs and better quality.