Srinagar, Jan 21 : The famous Kashmir handicraft products including Carpets and shawls would be exported to Germany and other European countries for promotion and sale, an official spokesman said Today.

Director Handicrafts and Handloom Kashmir, Mahmood Shah held an extensive web meeting with Consulate General of India (CGI), Germany Dr Suyash Chavan today.

The online meeting dealt exclusively in reviewing the scope of developing end-to-end export linkages to provide quality handicraft products of Kashmir to the German Market in particular and the rest of Europe in general.

Germany is the largest consumer of Kashmir carpets, Chain Stitch, Paper Machie and Walnut furniture besides the weather of Germany is characterized by cold winters which makes it a perfect destination for the use of Kashmiri Shawls, Rugs and Carpets.

He said it would also help to connect art lovers and handicraft importers of Germany with exporters from Kashmir and also achieve a tie up of master craftsmen and artisans through digital platforms.

Kashmir arts like Papier-mâché, sozni, kani shawl, basket weaving, khatamband, wood carving, silver and copper carving, carpet weaving, leather, silk and pashmina weaving amongst other crafts that Kashmir is known for in German markets, the spokesman said.

It was also discussed that the participation of Handicrafts & Handloom would be facilitated in upcoming Expos and Trade shows which will provide an opportunity of international exposure as well as showcasing the Kashmiri art at international platforms besides sale which has remained stuck due to Covid-19 pandemic.

To begin with, GI certified products of Kashmir shall be presented to the Consulate General of India, Germany which includes Pashmina, Khatamband, Walnut wood carving, Sozni, Kani Shawl, Hand knotted carpet, Paper Machie and Saffron for display in the Consulate General Munich office and in the exhibitions at Germany.

The consulate general was briefed about the export incentive announced by the Government on GI certified goods and about the renewed focus on Handicrafts in view of the recent UNESCO Craft listing for Srinagar City.

He was apprised about initiatives taken to promote artisans through Craft tours. Consulate General was also apprised about the GI labeling of Kashmir carpets and adaption of block chain mechanism to check piracy and misbranding of Kashmir handicrafts

The Consulate General expressed his desire for cross platform exchange and promotion of Departmental social media handles in Germany. He requested for digital content like films and photographs on Kashmir craft to be promoted by counsel.
He was assured that digital content like pictures, videos, brochures will be provided to CG for disseminations in the German Market, the spokesman added.(UNI)