The Indian handmade carpet industry has witnessed an extraordinary growth in exports, escalating from US$ 651 million in 1996-97 to a remarkable US$ 2 billion. Despite global challenges, the industry has shown resilience, maintaining stable exports at US$ 1.8 billion, as stated by Dr. Romesh Khajuria, Chairman of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), during his welcome speech at the 199th Committee of Administration (CoA) meeting on May 30 in New Delhi.
The meeting welcomed the newly elected CoA members and was chaired by Dr. Khajuria, featuring significant discussions aimed at advancing the Indian handmade carpet industry.
Dr. Khajuria expressed gratitude for the cooperation during the CoA elections, highlighting the democratic and transparent nature of the process. He commended the CEPC team for their tireless efforts in ensuring the integrity of the election.
“We owe our thanks to the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) for supporting CEPC initiatives to promote carpet exports and for providing guidance from time to time for the industry’s betterment,” added Dr. Khajuria, acknowledging the crucial role of the Development Commissioner’s office in the industry’s success.
Dr. Khajuria also recognized the substantial efforts of the Government of India over the past decade to promote overall merchandise and services exports. The country’s exports reached a historic high of US$ 770 billion during 2022-23. Various reforms have been implemented to make Export Promotion Councils more democratic and transparent, thereby enhancing their advisory roles. The Bharat Tex 2024 initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, which brought all textile EPCs and the entire textile value chain onto one platform, was particularly commended as a significant step forward.
During the meeting, the Committee of Administration decided to hold the Carpet Expo in Bhadohi from October 15 to 18, 2024. This flagship event of the CEPC and the carpet industry is a significant player in the export and development of the carpet sector. The Carpet Expo attracts global buyers and buying houses, providing a vital platform for showcasing Indian handmade carpets to the world.
The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) is an apex body dedicated to the promotion of Indian handmade carpets and other floor coverings. It works closely with artisans, manufacturers, and exporters to enhance India’s share in the global market.
