Export refers to a product or service produced in one country but sold to a buyer abroad. Exports are one of the oldest forms of economic transfer and occur on a large scale between nations. Exports are crucial for modern economies because they offer people and firms many more markets for their goods/services. One of the core functions of diplomacy and foreign policy between governments is to foster economic trade, encouraging exports and imports for the benefit of all trading parties.

EPCH (Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts) is a non-profit organization with the objective of promoting, supporting, protecting, maintaining, and increasing the export of handicrafts from the country. It is an apex body of handicrafts exporters for the promotion of the export of Handicrafts from the country and to project India's image abroad as a reliable supplier of high-quality handicrafts goods and services. EPCH organizes seminars and workshops throughout the year on various trade-related issues for its member exporters.

With an objective to promote and facilitate exports of handicrafts products from various districts of Odisha, EPCH is organized an Export Awareness and E-Commerce Promotion Programme under the Niryat Bandhu Scheme of DGFT. The program aimed to provide valuable insights and practical knowledge to entrepreneurs looking to expand their operations in the global market. Such initiatives promote potential exporters by training them on the nitty-gritty of foreign trade through counselling and outreach programmes. The export outreach programme also aimed at grabbing those segments of the MSME cluster that include entrepreneurs engaged in the handicraft industry in various districts of Odisha. Through this seminar, we aim to bring together esteemed speakers and industry experts from the Government of India, State Departments, and other renowned organizations.

Mr. Dilip Tibrewal, Executive Director, Welfin International and Associate Member, WTC Bhubaneswar represented the center and during his address deliberated on the export potential of handicrafts in the global market. He also spoke on the potential of the sector in e-commerce platform, marketing trends etc.

The outreach program was held on Friday, 29^th September 2023 at Hotel Puspak Bhubaneswar.