The Hindu Business Line : Ministry grants Rs 15 cr for AP crafts growth

"The Ministry has asked us to go in three phases, taking up five crafts each a year," said Mr B. Jayaraj, Managing Director of AP Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd.

Addressing a news conference here recently, Mr Jayaraj said the Corporation had submitted a preliminary report to the Government. The report was based on findings by the Jaipur-based Handicrafts Design and Development Centre.

In the first phase, the corporation would take up Pembarthy brassware, Nirmal furniture and paintings, woodcarvings or Kondapalli toys, silver artwork of Karimnagar and Cheryal paintings.

"The plan is to provide a comprehensive support to all these 15 crafts, right from design development to providing market linkages and publicity," he said.

For the year 2003-04, the Corporation recorded a turnover of Rs 31 crore against Rs 28 crore in the previous year. "We have set a target of Rs 35 crore for the current fiscal," Mr Jayaraj said.

"We have prepared an action plan to scale up sales at the Lepakshi (Corporation's sales emporia). While giving a facelift to our outlets, we are going for aggressive marketing to push our sales," he said.

Identifying expos as major revenue grosser, the corporation has organised a 12-day crafts bazaar at Necklace Road beginning from May 7. About 150 craftsmen from all over the country are showcasing their products there.

"Last year, we organised 65 expos which gave Rs 8 crore. This year we are looking at Rs 10 crore from this count," he said.

On the corporation's expansion plans, Mr Jayaraj said new showrooms would come up at Kurnool, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi in the next two months. "Besides, one franchisee outlet will be opened in Hyderabad," he said.

In addition to these, the corporation would open kiosks at Vijayawada and Tirupati railway stations to popularise Lepakshi products.

The corporation expected that the Atlanta franchisee, being taken up by Kalakshetra run by two NRIs, would materialise this year. "They are looking at catering to the whole of North America," Mr Jayaraj said.

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Ministry grants Rs 15 cr for AP crafts growth

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