To enhance market access for Indian products in the United Kingdom, Ms. Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, held an important meeting with buyers and buying representatives in London, UK. The initiative aimed to deepen trade relations, promote sustainable sourcing, and highlight India’s growing role as a global manufacturing and design hub.
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) was represented by Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH, and Mr. Rajesh Rawat, Additional Executive Director, EPCH, who actively participated in the discussions.
During the meeting, Ms. Rao emphasized the significance of India’s textile sector in global exports and outlined the Government of India’s initiatives focusing on design innovation, sustainability, traceability, and marketing support. She encouraged UK buyers to leverage the opportunities offered by the forthcoming India–UK trade agreement, which aims to create a more seamless and mutually beneficial trade environment.
An overview of India’s export performance was also presented, highlighting new avenues emerging through tariff reductions, simplified rules of origin, and expedited customs clearances, all of which will enhance ease of doing business and strengthen bilateral trade.
As part of this mission, EPCH, in collaboration with the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) and the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), organized an interactive session titled “India – A Profitable Destination for Sourcing Handicrafts, Handlooms, and Carpets.”
The session was graced by the presence of Ms. Neelam Shami Rao as the Chief Guest, along with key dignitaries including Ms. Shubhra, Trade Advisor, Ministry of Textiles; Mr. Kartikya Dhanda, Secretary, Textiles Committee; Mr. Amit Kumar, Director Trade, Ministry of Textiles; Ms. R. Lalitha, Director Textiles, Govt. of Tamil Nadu; Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH; Mr. Lalit Goel, Chairman, HEPC; Mr. Kuldeep Wattal, Chairman, CEPC; Mr. Rajesh Rawat, Addl. Executive Director, EPCH; and Dr. Patricia Sumod, Head, Domestic & International Linkages, NIFT.
The session provided a dynamic platform for buyers, sourcing professionals, and trade representatives to explore the evolving potential of India’s handicraft, handloom, and carpet sectors. Discussions centered around sustainability, design excellence, and innovation in production, underscoring India’s strengths as a trusted global sourcing partner.
This engagement not only reinforced India’s commitment to expanding its global trade footprint but also reaffirmed the country’s position as a key player in the international handicrafts and textile value chain, where heritage meets modernity and quality meets global demand.
