Goan handicrafts target international markets

PANAJI - Hammocks to Switzerland, pottery to Greece is the new mantra the Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (GHRSSIDC) has devised to promote the state’s handicrafts in Western markets.

Speaking to reporters here GHRSSIDC chairman Sameer Salgaonkar said the corporation, which represents a large section of the states handicraft sector and artisans, was looking at ways to engage and interest the foreign clientele in Goan handicrafts.

The export market for Indian handicrafts abroad is Rs.10,000 crore. We are eying a tiny piece of that cake, Salgaonkar said.

Last year, we managed to get clients in Switzerland who were interested in hammocks made in Goa. The hammocks were made by a handicraft unit in Shiroda (a rural village 30 km from here). We are also targeting countries like Greece, Germany for exporting our handicrafts like jute bags, he said.

The GHRSSIDC is a clearing house for various handmade items made from indigenously available raw material like coir, coconut shells, jute, sea shells, beads and unique earthen pottery, manufactured by various artisans in the state.

After sourcing the handicrafts from individuals or self help groups, the corporation then markets it to trade agencies abroad or other regions of India, keeping a small commission for itself.

We have had several expositions of Goan handicrafts in Greece, Los Angeles, Munich, where we have tried to market handicrafts from the region, Salgaonkar said.

He said a special craft bazaar would also be organised in Baga, a tourist hub in north Goa extremely popular with foreign tourists, from Dec 22 to New Year eve, to promote the locally made handicrafts.

We hope it will catch the eye of foreign tourists who gather there, Salgaonkar said.

–Indo Asian News Service