Heavy demand of Indian handicrafts in USA: Chinna

 by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

AMRITSAR, AUG 31

 A high-level delegation of Punjab Small-scale Industries and Export Corporation (PSIEC), led by its Chairman Mr. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, has returned home from United States (US), after a week-long program to take part in international trade fair at Manhattan in New York.  Having explored the possibilities of export, the delegates found a heavy demand of handicrafts in US and feel that if small scale industry innovate itself, export to US may rise manifold.

 Mr. Chhina who along with his Executive Director Sanjeev Bawa, led the delegation, on the directions of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal found huge market for handicrafts items. ``The household items including furniture, decorating pieces, crafted utensils, stones, dresses, carpets and even crockery are in huge demand. As ivory is banned, the US administration allows the camel bones might be used in decorating pieces’’, said Chhina, adding that export of these items might earn foreign currency to the country.

 He said the stalls from all over the world and various Indian states were installed and Punjab’s stall was also a major attraction. ``The hand woven carpets and handicrafts received maximum queries’’, said he adding that if export rises the Punjab’s small scale and cottage industry would be immensely benefitted. He said Indian Consulate General in New York Mr. Prabhu Dyal was helpful in arranging an interaction of Indian businessmen accompanying them with the US counterparts which was highly fruitful.

 ``The US market requires variety and did not like the same kinds of product being produced. If ivory is banned, they want that the bones of other animals including that of camels are perfectly used in the decorative items’’, said he. He further said that on the eve of Christmas and New Year, the US citizen go rampant to buy the goods and we must focus on exploring the export of these goods to US in coming three months. ``The US businessmen are ready to place orders, only we have to fit in their demand and innovate ourselves to produce more attractive items’’, said Mr. Chhina.

 He said their delegation was sponsored jointly by Central and State governments and we want the closer coordination with the Union Commerce Ministry to provide a fillip to export of Punjab’s handicrafts to the US and even other Western countries.