Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
 
Panaji, Apr 28: Goa has targeted ten times rise in the export of its handicraft items during the financial year 2011-12.
 
Goa government financed Goa Handicraft Rural and Small Scale Industrial Development Corporation (GHRSSIDC) Chairman Sameer Salgaoncar told reporters today that the corporation has decided to set up export promotion cell to increase the exports.

“The corporation has built up an export market over last two years. We have exported around Rs 6 lakh worth handicrafts to the USA, Netherlands and Switzerlands,” Salgaoncar said.
 
He said that the export target for running FY is Rs 50 lakh to Rs 60, which would be achieved by servicing existing markets and also exploring new opportunities abroad.
 
The corporation has participated at International Exhibitions at Munich, Germany and Birmihgham (UK).
 
Salgaoncar said that `export cell will have specialized staff to provide assistance to artisans, exporters of handicrafts based in Goa and others.’
 
Goa has 1,200 artisans registered with the corporation with turnover of Rs 3 crore annually. The officials claimed that Goan handicrafts sale through organized and unorganized sector is pegged at Rs 7.5 crore.
 
The Chairman said that there are several inquiries from abroad about Goa’s handicraft items. “The cell will be able to quickly respond to the inquiries without losing any time,” he added.