Odisha has a rich and diverse handloom heritage, with a long history of weaving that reflects the state’s cultural and artistic vibrancy. The handloom sector of Odisha is renowned for its distinct and intricate fabrics, such as the famous Ikat, Sambalpuri, and Bomkai textiles, which are admired globally for their craftsmanship and unique designs. These textiles are not only an integral part of the state’s cultural identity but also a significant contributor to its economy. The handloom industry continues to expand, with increasing international demand for Odisha's handwoven fabrics, showcasing the growing recognition of its traditional textiles worldwide.

Seminar on Handloom Exports from Odisha was successfully organized by the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) in Chennai, with the valuable support of the MSME Department, Government of Odisha, and facilitated by the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar. This event aimed to explore opportunities, challenges, and strategies for expanding the handloom sector's export potential from Odisha, one of India’s most significant regions known for its rich handloom heritage.

The seminar gathered key stakeholders including government officials, industry experts, handloom producers, exporters, and international buyers, all of whom came together to discuss the sustainable development of Odisha’s handloom exports.

The event commenced with an inaugural address by Dr. M. Sundar, Joint Director of the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), Chennai. He emphasized the growing demand for handloom products worldwide and the unique position that Odisha’s handloom sector holds due to its distinct weaving techniques and cultural heritage. Dr. Sundar also spoke about the pivotal role of HEPC in promoting handloom exports from India, particularly from states like Odisha. He highlighted the Council's efforts in facilitating market access, organizing trade fairs, and providing financial and technical support to handloom exporters. His address underscored HEPC’s commitment to enhancing the global reach of India’s handloom products, boosting the industry’s competitiveness in international markets.

Following this, Smt. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha, delivered a keynote address highlighting the state government’s initiatives to support the handloom industry, including financial assistance, skill development programs, and export facilitation services. Smt. Kumar discussed the various export benefits available for handloom exporters, focusing on the government’s role in facilitating market access and reducing export barriers. She highlighted the importance of leveraging international demand for India’s handloom products and ensuring that local artisans benefit from these global opportunities. She also emphasized the significance of retail marketing in expanding the global reach of handloom products.

Shri. T Ramalingam, Assistant Director, Weavers Service Centre, Bhubaneswar shared the various schemes implemented by the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) for the promotion and development of the handloom sector in Odisha. Shri Ramalingam highlighted Integrated Handloom Development Scheme (IHDS), which supports the creation of infrastructure and skill development for handloom cluster, Handloom Marketing Assistance (HMA), providing financial support for marketing and promoting handloom products at both national and international platforms and Scheme for Capacity Building in the Handloom Sector, which provides training to weavers to enhance their skills and diversify their product range.

Shri. A.K. Saha, Branch Head, NHDC Ltd., Bhubaneswar deliberated on the Raw Materials Supply Scheme, highlighting how NHDC ensures a steady supply of essential raw materials like cotton, silk, and wool for Odisha's handloom industry. He emphasized the importance of affordable, high-quality raw materials to boost production efficiency. Shri Saha explained how the scheme facilitates bulk procurement and cost subsidies, making handloom products more competitive in domestic and international markets. He also stressed the need for long-term planning to avoid supply disruptions and ensure consistent access to materials for weavers.

Prof. Dr. Binaya Bhusan Jena, Department of Fashion Management Studies (FMS), NIFT, Bhubaneswar deliberated on the importance of colour trends in the export market. He emphasized that understanding and incorporating global colour trends is crucial for handloom products to remain competitive in international markets. Prof. Jena explained how colour preferences vary across different regions and consumer segments, and how adapting to these trends can help Odisha’s handloom products appeal to a broader audience. He also highlighted the role of colour in product differentiation and branding, underlining its significance in increasing the export potential of handloom textiles.

Shri. Pradip Dash, Junior Investigator, Textile Committee, Bhubaneswar spoke about the IHB (Indian Handloom Brand) and the Handloom Mark. He explained the significance of these certifications in ensuring the authenticity and quality of handloom products. Shri Dash highlighted how the IHB serves as a mark of excellence, promoting the global recognition of Indian handlooms, while the Handloom Mark ensures that the products are genuine handwoven textiles. He emphasized that these certifications help enhance the credibility of handloom products in both domestic and international markets, increasing consumer trust and boosting exports.

Shri. Bibhuti Bhusana Dash, IOFS, Special Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha also joined the session as an esteemed dignitary.

The Seminar on Handloom Exports from Odisha provided a valuable platform for dialogue among key stakeholders in the handloom sector. The event successfully facilitated the exchange of ideas and strategies to improve the export potential of Odisha's handloom industry. The collaboration between the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), the MSME Department, Government of Odisha, and the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar was instrumental in creating an environment conducive to the growth of the industry.

As we concluded the event, Smt. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director of the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar, delivered the vote of thanks. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the distinguished speakers, panellists, delegates, and handloom producers for their valuable contributions to the seminar.

In her speech, Smt. Natarajan emphasized the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and artisans to promote the handloom sector globally. She acknowledged the efforts of the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), the MSME Department, and the World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in making the seminar a success. She further extended her thanks to the participants for their enthusiasm and engagement, and concluded by expressing hope that the event would lead to meaningful actions and growth in the handloom export industry of Odisha.

The seminar concluded with a call to action for continued support for handloom artisans, increased government incentives for exporters, and enhanced collaboration between industry players. The stakeholders expressed optimism that with the right strategies, Odisha’s handloom exports could see significant growth in the global market.

The event was held on Thursday, 13^th March 2025 at IDCO Conference Hall, Bhubaneswar.