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The event aimed to increase the export of Handicrafts and Handloom in Canada by creating more avenues of trade.
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Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO) in association with Consulate General of India Toronto, Canada & Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) organised a virtual meet to promote the export of Handicrafts and Handloom products.
The event aimed to increase the export of Handicrafts and Handloom in Canada by creating more avenues of trade. The virtual meet was attended by Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General, Consulate General of India Toronto, Shri Vijay Thomas, President, Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), Ms. Anoo Malhotra (KAS), Managing Director, J&K Trade Promotion Organization (JKTPO), Shri Mahmood Ahmad Shah (KAS), Director Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, and Shri Vikas Sharma, Director, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), ICCC along with senior officials from the Govt of J&K. & CGI, Toronto, and eminent members of the Handicraft and Handloom exports and import community.
While welcoming the dignitaries, Vijay Thomas, President, Indo Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) said “Such events help build stronger relationships between importers and exporter. ICCC is planning to create marketplace-based events for 10 states and UT of Jammu & Kashmir is one of the focus regions."
As an opening remark, Anoo Malhotra, KAS, MD JKTPO said, “Jammu and Kashmir made exports worth Rs 1360 crores during 2019-20, with the majority coming from RMG wool and manmade yarn fabrics, which is an encouraging fact for this platform and invite importers to connect with exporters from the UT. As a matter of fact, the Department of Handloom & Handicrafts is running more than 500 training centers with a capacity of 13,000 artisans. With skill development initiatives of Government of Jammu & Kashmir more than 7,500 artisans are getting benefitted.”
“There is a huge demand for these exquisite handmade products in Canada and I would encourage importers from Canada to buy such exquisite products from Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, we are planning a similar event.” said Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General, Consulate General of India Toronto (ICCC)
A presentation on Unique Handicrafts and Handloom products of Jammu & Kashmir was given by Shri Mahmood Ahmad Shah (KAS), Director Handicrafts & Handloom, Kashmir, exhibiting the extraordinary intricacy, skill, and artistic expertise of the people. Special emphasis was given to products of copperware, walnut wood (GI), Pashmina, Sozni embroidery, Kani Shawl Art (GI), Bashoni Pashmina, Chain Stitch Embroidery, along with Papier Mache, Khatamband, KalBaffi, Basohli Paintings, Tweed Jackets, and Kishtwari Loi.
The event connected the reputed exporters of Handicrafts and Handloom in J&K with the potential Canadian importers. More than 40 participants participated in event. The event was concluded with a Q&A session and the details along with company profiles of the registered exporters from J&K were shared with the CGI, Toronto to connect the buyers and sellers. Shri Vikas Sharma, Director, SME, ICCC delivered the vote of thanks to all members and participants.
Department of Industries & Commerce, Govt. of J&K has been organizing many skill-training workshops and programs to uplift the economic condition of Handloom and Handicraft artisans in J&K. With an aim to put Jammu and Kashmir on an accelerated socio-economic growth phase, various similar events are planned across sectors to connect the stakeholders.