Handicrafts export from Jammu and Kashmir this year increased by 8.6 per year-on-year to Rs. 1,151.12 crore in 2016-17 from Rs. 1,059.41 crore in financial year 2015-16. However, the figures show that the handicraft exports are much below than pre-2014 flood mark of Rs. 1,600 crore, according to Directorate of Handicrafts J&K statistics.

Industry experts said that the production of handicrafts remained unaffected during the shutdown due to terrorist activities as its manufacturing is being operated from artisans homes only.

The surge in handicrafts was reported during the Christmas and New Year period, which is traditionally a time when demand increases, an exporter said.

Fulfilment of pending orders for 2016 summer by exporters during later part of the financial year also resulted in the growth of exports. “The growth is encouraging and we hope the handicrafts sector exports which had been shrinking in the last few years will see a revival,” president, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mushtaq Ahmad Wani said.

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