In order to ensure that the handicrafts sector keeps growing at a brisk pace and continue to earn much needed foreign exchange and provide livelihood to millions, it is important that the logistic system (availability and movement of containers) should support and compliment the efforts made by the artisans and exporters said Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
Mr Ravi K Passi, Chairman-EPCH informed the issue pertaining to non-availability of containers at various craft clusters was raised today in a High Level meeting convened by Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Govt. of India under Chairmanship of Special Secretary (Logistics), Govt. of India. Mr. Dileep Baid and Mr. Sharad Bansal, Member, Committee of Administration-EPCH alongwith Mr. Avdesh Agarwal, General Secretary of Moradabad Handicrafts Exporters Association, Moradabad, Mr. Naresh Bothra, President, Jodhpur Handicraft Exporters’ Association and Mr. R. K. Verma, Executive Director-EPCH were present in meeting. The meeting was also attended by representatives of FIEO, FICCI, APEDA, CII and CSLA.
Adding further, he said, handicrafts is one of the worst affected sector on account being the voluminous cargo shipments. He raised the issue of high shipping cost by Shipping companies resulting cost to buyers and decline in exports of handicrafts in this pandemic situation and resulting lacking competitiveness with country like China. He suggested the concerned authorities for uniformity in port charges to boost the handicrafts exports from India. Apart from highlighting the shortage of containers, other important issues raised during the meeting including Inland haulage charges, terminal handling charges, additional cost incurred by the exporters, delaying shipments at various ports.
Shri R. K. Verma, Executive Director – EPCH once again urged the Government to consider establishment of a Regulatory Authority through enactment of the Parliament to control and monitor the pricing, terms & conditions and other provisions relating to the shipment of goods. The current shipping lines are arbitrarily deciding the pricing and imposing conditions at their whims and fancies.
Mr. Passi has requested all the concerned ministries to urgently look into the matter, so that exports from the country can continue without any hindrance to help facilitate timely shipments of the export consignments and thereby promote exports from the country.
