Awareness Workshop on Handloom Exports from Odisha

The handloom industry in India is not only the country's largest cottage industry but also a significant employer in rural areas, providing livelihood to over 3.5 million people. It generates substantial income, positively impacts the environment, and creates value for rural communities. The global handloom products market size was valued at USD 7.29 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 7.77 billion in 2023 to USD 13.68 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.41% over the forecast period.

As an economic activity, the handloom sector occupies a place next only to agriculture in providing livelihood to the people. The element of art and craft present in Indian handlooms makes it a potential sector for the upper segments of the market, both domestic as well as global. 

In Odisha, hand-woven fabrics have existed beyond the reach of memory and this sector involves a large number of weavers/artisans from the rural as well as semi-urban areas of the state. In spite of the unique craftsmanship, global appreciation for the art and availability of abundant resources from the state, the sector still lags behind to catch hold of a substantial proportion of the global market thus calls for effective efforts to promote and upscale the offerings of the industry to further tap the hidden potential.

In a purview to accelerate handloom exports from the state, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in association with MSME Department, Government of Odisha and Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), Chennai organized an Awareness Workshop on Handloom Exports from Odisha and Role of HEPC. This initiative was conducted under the Export Facilitation Cell, Government of Odisha.

The session was chaired by Mr. Saswat Mishra, IAS, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha and during his address he deliberated on the state’s initiatives to promote exports from the state and the incentives provided to the existing as well as aspiring exporters to commence and venture into the global market.

Mr. Rajen Padhi, Honorary Convenor, International Trade Promotion Think Tank, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in his welcome address highlighted the initiatives undertaken by WTC Bhubaneswar to handhold the MSMEs while assisting them to grow their businesses. He also summarized the nuances of International Trade.

Mr. Shovan Krishna Sahu, IRS, Director, Directorate of Textiles, Government of Odisha in his address spoke about the nitty gritty of the handloom sector, eco-friendly practices, adaptation of sustainable implementation in the sector and the steps to be undertaken for the diversification of the sector. He also announced about the Dyeing Unit coming up in the capital city Bhubaneswar which has comprise facilities for Synthetic as well as Natural Dyeing plant.

Mr. N Sreedhar, Executive Director, Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), Chennai spoke about the steps HEPC shall undertake to take Handloom from Odisha from the current state to the next level. He also highlighted how HEPC started off with 90 registered exporters and have been successfully on-boarded 1700 exporters. He further accentuated the significance Quality Standards, Packaging, Participation in International Fairs for establishing brand identity, reverse buyer seller programs, virtual fairs, etc. In addition to that, he also spoke about the IHBC – India Handloom Brand Certification and the effective ways to curb/manage Carbon Footprints in the sector.

Dr. Sundar Murugesan, Joint Director, Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), Chennai gave a detailed presentation on the role of HEPC. He deliberated on Indian Handloom Sector, Handloom Workers Across India, Handloom GI Products of Odisha, product range, HEPC as a gateway for Handloom Exporters, Categories of Handloom Products and the value addition to it etc. He further spoke on the key market for Odisha Handloom Products, HS Codes, exportable products from Odisha, strategies for export promotions, sustainable handloom products, SWOT Analysis, dyeing facilities, product diversification, activities of HEPC and major upcoming events like Bharat TEX 2024.

Mrs. Pranati Chhotray, IAS, Managing Director, Boyanika in her address gave a detailed presentation on the features as well as the scope of Odisha Handloom.

The session was also graced by the presence of Mr. Bibhuti Bhusana Dash, IOFS, Special Secretary, MSME Department, Government of Odisha, Mr. Dilip Sahoo, OAS, Director, Directorate of Export Promotion and Marketing, Government of Odisha.

The session also witnessed a highly interactive Q&A Session where the existing as well as the aspiring exporters in the sector, weavers, artisans put forth the challenges they face on a regular basis for which the relevant stakeholders discussed the corrective measures. It was also proposed during the session to conduct Virtual Sessions/Conferences by the HEPC once in a month to address the issues of the exporters and handhold them for the same.

Mrs. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar proposed the vote of thanks.

The workshop was held on Thursday, 21^st December 2023 at IDCO Conference Hall, IDCO Towers, Janpath, Bhubaneswar.