SRINAGAR: The central government has assured support for an international exhibition in Srinagar in September-October 2025 to help revive Kashmir’s struggling handicraft sector, which has seen a sharp decline in exports. The initiative aims to provide local artisans and exporters with direct access to global markets, potentially reversing the downturn that has impacted thousands of families dependent on the trade.
The assurance came from Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary Textiles, Government of India, during discussions with a delegation from the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), led by its president.The chamber highlighted the challenges facing the sector, including the need for modern marketing strategies, preservation of traditional techniques, and improved infrastructure for Geographical Indication (GI) tagging.
A key proposal put forward by the KCCI was the establishment of a permanent international-standard handicraft centre in Kashmir to serve as a year-round venue for exhibitions, buyer-seller meets, and cultural exchanges. The chamber also presented its vision of increasing handicraft exports to Rs 3,000 crore within three years through enhanced trade fair participation, technological upgrades, and stronger e-commerce integration.
The discussions also underscored the crucial role of women artisans, who form a significant part of the workforce, and the need for targeted initiatives to support their economic empowerment. Secretary Rao assured the delegation of the Textile Ministry’s commitment to addressing these concerns and collaborating on initiatives to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.
The meeting, also attended by Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner Handicrafts, was seen as a crucial step towards revitalising Kashmir’s handicraft industry, which remains a cultural and economic mainstay of the region.
