The Ministry of Textiles has sought for some relief for the labour-intensive sectors like handicrafts, leather, carpet, handloom and textiles, in the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), to be announced on April 18, Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi today told media.
"Yes...we have sent the recommendations to the commerce ministry," said minister after inaugurating the Home Expo India 2013 (HEI-2013) at Expo Mart in Greater Noida. However she denies giving the details further. She said, "FTP is now about to come."
The industry experts are expecting that the Government will increase the interest subvention rate from 2 percent to 5 percent and should extend the interest subvention scheme for at least five years for the labour intensive sector.
Lakshmi was speaking to media on the sidelines of the second edition of Asia's largest confluence for home and lifestyle products in the four-day-long highly specialized and product-segmented mega triple show Home Expo India.
Secretary Textiles Zohra Chatterji and others were also present at the occasion. "Home Expo India brings in manufactures, producers and exporters of home decorative, home furnishing and home furniture who are by and large from cottage, small and medium scale industry. These product specific shows with such export potential enhance marketing opportunities, target specific buyers and spur growth in exports," Chatterji told media.
Being organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), Home Expo India 2013 will have three consecutive shows - Indian Houseware and Decorative Show (IHDS), Indian Furnishings, Floorings and Textiles Show (IFFTEX) and Indian Furniture and Accessories Show (IFAS) - under one roof at the same time making it a One-Stop Expo for every visitor, from April 15-18.
This will be one of leading business-to-business (B2B) show where a wide range of tableware, home textiles, kitchenware, houseware and bathroom accessories will be displayed at this exposition.
Home Expo India 2013 is expected to generate great business deals for direct import as also for tie- ups, collaborations, alliances and joint ventures for product development, product innovation and International sales. The Expo is expected to generate business worth Rs 600 crore, said EPCH official.
This event will showcase the finest artistic elements and craftsmanship in harmony with innovative designs and latest products. More than 400 exporters of woodcraft, furniture and other related products will display best of their products to enable a large number of overseas buyers including renowned international brands from across the globe offering them three premium sourcing opportunities under one roof.
International buyers, leading manufacturers and exporters will share the same platform and will exchange various ideas related to this industry.
The most important aspect of Home Expo India is the confirmation from large number of top buyers, buying houses, import houses, chain stores, boutique owners and interior decorators from leading markets like USA, European Union, Far East, Latin America, Central Asia and African continents to visit and source at this show, informed Babu Lal Dosi, President of Home Expo India 2013.
"The thrust in the international markets is now on product-segmented specialized trade shows rather than trade shows covering all product categories. Hence, there was need for Home Expo India. The emphasis laid by the Council is on making this show a wholesome with a 'Home Total' tag attached to it with the intention of making it a benchmark event for premium merchandise for a target market/buyers segment," said Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH.
The EPCH will lay special focus on specialties of select regions of India at this show. In this direction, there will be separate pavilions of products from North Eastern Region (NER) and J & K region.
North East will highlight cane and bamboo products and J&K will highlight walnut wood carving, crewel embroidery, shawls, handknotted carpets and rugs.
