SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has set a target of increasing its textile and apparel exports from the present base of around Rs 800 crore to Rs 2,000 crore by 2030, with Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo calling for a focused strategy to expand the global market for its traditional crafts.
Dulloo chaired a meeting on Thursday to review the newly framed Action Plan for Promotion of Export of Handicrafts and Handloom Products and directed the Industries and Commerce Department to finalise a year-wise strategy with measurable targets and timelines.
He stressed the need for a detailed assessment of the sector’s strengths, competitive advantages and challenges before the implementation framework is finalised. The department was asked to identify issues requiring immediate intervention and build on J&K’s strengths to promote high-value craft products in international markets.
The Chief Secretary also called for a comprehensive plan covering capacity building, infrastructure development, establishment of clusters and better organisation of artisans and craftsmen.
Dulloo directed officials to map the benefits available under Central government schemes with UT-specific interventions to ensure exporters can access incentives and support in a time-bound manner.
He said the projections and assessments forming the basis of the action plan should be scientific, evidence-based and supported by reliable data, observing that the quality of the underlying assessment would have a direct bearing on the outcome of the export strategy.
Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Vikramjit Singh, outlined the strategic framework for 2026-2030, which seeks to align the national export vision with coordinated interventions at the UT and district levels.
Singh said J&K’s position in the national Export Preparedness Index among small states, northeastern states and Union Territories had improved from 36th in 2020 to second in 2024.
The proposed framework includes a State Export Action Plan and District Export Action Plans, with interventions tailored to the competitive strengths of individual districts.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, Mussarat Islam, said the action plan envisages a significant expansion of the export ecosystem by 2030. It targets increasing the active registered exporter base to 15,000 from 269 active RCMC exporters at present, with a potential pipeline of around 1,000 exporters.
The plan also aims for 100 per cent GI-QR tagging of exports to improve authenticity and traceability, Rs 100 crore in e-commerce exports through digital onboarding and market-access initiatives, and more than 50 per cent utilisation of Free Trade Agreements, compared with the current level of below 20 per cent.
The phased strategy includes immediate interventions over the next two years, including expansion of the Artisan Credit Card scheme, establishment of Export Textile Planning Cells under Tex-RAMPS and the launch of a unified “Soulful J&K” GI branding campaign.
Medium-term measures planned for the next two to four years include ESG and EUDR compliance certification for more than 100 manufacturing units and establishment of raw material banks to strengthen the production and export ecosystem.
The action plan also proposes greater use of Central schemes of the Ministry of Textiles, including the Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL) and SAMARTH, the scheme for capacity building in the textile sector.
It also seeks to leverage the J&K Export Subsidy Scheme, 2021, under which eligible exporters can avail an export subsidy of 10 per cent, subject to a maximum of Rs 5 crore per exporter.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Industries and Commerce Department, Handicrafts and Handloom departments, J&K Handicrafts (S&E) Corporation, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, NIFT and other concerned departments.
Dulloo stressed sustained institutional coordination, monitoring and effective implementation of the action plan to expand J&K’s traditional crafts in global markets and support sustainable livelihoods for around 4.5 lakh artisans and craftsmen.
