SRINAGAR: Principal Secretary Industries and Commerce, Rajan Prakash Thakur, today chaired a meeting of Handloom and Handicraft department to chalk out strategy and plan for revival and promotion of Carpet industry by ensuring handholding to traders, weavers and artisans associated with the industry.
The meeting was attended by Director Handicraft & Handloom Department, Mehmood Ahmad Shah, MD, Handicraft & Handloom Development Corporation, Hashmat Ali Yatoo Director, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Zubair Ahmad and other officers besides representative of various trade bodies including Shiekh Ashiq of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Ashiq; Shahid kamili, President, FCIK; Bilal Kawoosa of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Mahraj Krishan Bhat and other members of various trade bodies.
The representatives apprised the Principal Secretary of various issues ailing the industry and sought intervention of government for revival of the industry from grass root level and promotion at local, national and international level.
They requested for establishment of Model Carpet villages in such areas which are already identified and affiliated with the production of Handloom and Handicraft products by developing infrastructure in such areas so that carpet industry will have an organized form.
They also requested that carpet villages should be provided common facility centres wherein Design Development, Dying, Washing, Banking facilities and packing would be available.
Moreover, Principal Secretary was requested that exporters should be given incentives like Export Subsidy to all handmade craft products besides Soft loan for manufacturing, reimbursement of freight subsidy and establishment of artisan welfare Board.
Also, the H&H stakeholders said that IICT should diversify innovative designs satisfying key design criteria and creation of latest innovative design bank in collaboration with school of designs, NIFT, All Kashmir Carpet Manufacturers &Traders Association, Meeras Carpet Weavers Co-operative Ltd and Kashmir Carpet cluster development organization.
During the meeting the trade representatives demanded branding and promotion by showcasing products at trade fairs being held at national and international level.

KR Desk