NEW DELHI, Aug 18:The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is setting up an infrastructure project at Narsapuram in Andhra Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 15.33 crore, to be known as International Lace Trade Centre (ILTC) to facilitate development and marketing of Lace products.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy will lay the foundation stone tomorrow at Parakala Seshavataram, Canal Road, Rustumbada, Narsapuram, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.
“It is expected that the International Lace Trade Centre at Narsapuram, once operational, will be a great boon to the persons involved with the work of producing, designing and exporting of lace products. Periodic visit of designers will enable the artisans, entrepreneurs and exporters to develop new product lines, new designs and new techniques of production,” according to M Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH.
“Visit of overseas buyers will help them to develop new product lines which may find markets abroad, EPCH is working actively to promote the handicrafts clusters at Narsapur (AP) region,” Mr Kumar said.
The ILTC will have exhibition halls, auditorium, open air theater, meeting rooms, ample facilities for craft bazaar, accommodation for buyers and designers, besides an administrative set up.
The objective of this Centre is to help craft-persons, artisans, producers and exporters in the East and West Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh to develop new designs, production techniques of lace products, its marketing and exports through exhibition halls and the craft bazaar.
This centre will also enable the producing and exporting community to interact with the foreign experts, designers and buyers with regard to product development and ultimate exports.
The project is a part of the Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme (CHCDS) of The Ministry of Textiles.
(UNI)