Srinagar: MLA Wachi Aijaz Ahmad Mir today said handicrafts constitute an important segment of the decentralized sector of the economy of our state. He said Handicrafts sector is a large industry and a key zone of employment in Jammu and Kashmir and there is urgent need for further uplift for its expansion.
While speaking at a seminar titled ‘Kashmiri Handicrafts’ organised by union ministry of textiles at Kokernag, Mir highlighted the importance of handicraft in the economy of J&K and added the handicrafts sector is mainly a rural based sector which has its reach in backward and in-accessing areas.
“Originally handicraft started as a part time activity in the rural areas, however, it later transformed into a flourishing economic activity due to significant market demand over the years,” he said.
The MLA Wachi maintained that handicrafts sector contributes substantially towards employment generation and exports. “ But this sector has suffered due to unorganized nature along with additional constraints like lack of education, capital and poor exposure to new technologies, absence of market intelligence and poor framework,” Mir said.
Besides others Assistant Director Handicrafts Shabir Ahmad Drabu also participated in the awareness camp.