The handicrafts sectors needs a fresh, ambitious vision that takes it new heights with ambitious targets, and the country should not be satisfied with the 29% increase in exports achieved in 2021-22, said Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Textiles, Commerce & Industry and Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution while delivering the address at the 23rd Handicrafts Export Awards Function here today.
Shri Goyal said the increase in exports of handicrafts from 25,680 crore in 2020-21 to Rs. 33,253 crore in 2021-22 shouldn’t be the benchmark as the sector has tremendous capacity to strengthen its export targets further. He called upon the award winners to stress on quality, consistency, design and branding to create an ecosystem where multifold increase in the sector could be made possible. Citing a number of examples including that of solar charkha, the textile minister urged the exporters to focus on innovation to drive the growth in the sector.
He cited the rapid rise of Tiruppur, which had grown dramatically in recent decades and said exports of handicrafts could take a quantum leap.
He emphasized that Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi is the brand ambassador of India’s handloom sector as he is seen wearing some of the artistically woven clothes. He said that during PM’s visit to other nations, mostly Indian handicraft products are gifted. Similar practice is being followed by nearly 200 Indian Missions abroad.
Shri Goyal said that the Ministry of Textiles has a database of 30 lakh artisans and if we could focus on increasing the income of the artisan by even Rs. 1000 per month, it could lead to transformation in their lives. He suggested that artisans can be linked with GeM. Also, the mandatory clause of GST registration could be worked upon so as to bring the artisans on board on e-commerce platforms. Emphasizing the big opportunity created by Free Trade Agreements with UAE and Australia, the textile minister suggested that the artisans could be provided a platform in the Dubai Expo Centre for showcasing their products and organizing buyer-seller meets.
He also complimented EPCH work for past three and a half decades to promote & boost exports.
The award function recognise exporters for their outstanding performance during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19. The evening saw a huge gathering of India’s handicraft exporters from all parts of India along with Mr. Raj K Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH; Vice Chairman, EPCH – Shri Kamal Soni; Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH and Chairman, India Exposition Mart Ltd.; members of EPCH’s Committee of Administration.
Shri Goyal along with Smt. DarshanaVikramJardosh, Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways gave away the awards. The occasion was also graced by Shri Upendra Prasad Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and was presided by Shri Shantmanu, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India.
Smt. DarshanaVikramJardosh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Textiles and Railways said that it’s significant to promote and support the artisans. She applauded that EPCH through its exhibitions ensures promotion of small artisans.
Shri Upendra Prasad Singh, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, congratulated the winners. He said even during COVID pandemic, Handicrafts export continued to grow. He also emphasisied that nearly 70 lakh people in the country are directly or indirectly connected with Handicrafts.
Shri Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH informed that a total of 126 awards were given to 61 winners of the year 2017-18 and to 65 winners of the year 2018-19. A special commendation award was also given. The Awards, instituted in 1989, are organised in four broad categories – Top Export Award, Product Group-wise Awards, Regional Awards and Woman Entrepreneur Award together totalling to 39 Trophies, 3 Platinum Performer Certificates, 72 Merit Certificates, 11 Women Entrepreneur Awards and 1 Special Commendation Award. The objective of awards is to create a sense of healthy and wholesome competition amongst exporters. Over the years, these have become a coveted recognition amongst the handicrafts exporters as more and more strive to achieve a place in these awards.
Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH thanked the dignitaries for their presence, encouragement & support and added that due to the pandemic, the export awards function is being held after a gap of three years, hence, honoured awardees are for two consecutive years.
EPCH is a nodal agency for promoting exports of handicrafts from the country to various destinations of the world and projecting India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high-quality handicrafts goods & services. The Handicrafts exports during the year 2021-22 was Rs. 33253.00 Crores (US $ 4459.76 Million) registering a growth of 29.49% in rupee term & 28.90% in dollar terms over previous year informed by Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH.
The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has been organizing Export Awards since 1989 to felicitate exporters who have contributed significantly to the development as well as to the exports of handicrafts from the country. The institution of these awards is said to be one of the vital steps taken by EPCH.
The objective of the Handicrafts Export Awards is to create a sense of healthy competition amongst exporters and to encourage wholesome competition through the institution of such prestigious awards. The Awards have become a coveted recognition amongst the handicrafts exporters and more and more exporters strive to receive this award. The same has also led to the quantum jump in the exports of handicrafts from the country.
The export awards are given based on the export performance of the exporters duly certified by the Chartered Accountant and are selected by Export Awards Selection Committee chaired by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) or his nominee (Addl. Development Commissioner-Handicrafts) and members of the Committee of Administration of the Council.
Five types of awards are given to the exporters of handicrafts based on their export performance viz. Top Export Award (All Handicrafts); Top Export Award (Product Categories), Women Entrepreneur Award, Merit Certificates for Excellent Export Growth and Regional Export Award.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today chaired the 4th meeting of National Startup Advisory Council (NSAC) in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister assured continued government support in developing statrup ecosystem. He appreciated the work done by NSAC members and urged them to focus on tier 2 and tier 3 cities where limited VC funding is available. He also emphasized on the need for capacity building and generating awareness about various initiatives of the government to promote startups in such cities. Members of the council have also been visiting states and interacting with startup entrepreneurs and students in educational institutions to understand and find ways to energize the startup ecosystem.
The Council deliberated upon important matters relating to startup ecosystem including protecting ownership of startups with original promoters, incorporating in India, listing in India, developing innovation hubs, etc. The members also shared progress on programs presented in earlier NSAC meetings including National Mentorship Program, Investor-Startup Matchmaking Portal, Incubator Capacity Development Program, etc.
The Minister also launched NavIC Grand Challenge which aims at promoting adoption of NavIC as geo-positioning solution, a key proponent for digital Aatmanirbharta. The applications for the grand challenge are open on Startup India’s website (www.startupindia.gov.in) and it aims to identify and handhold solutions of startups which are engaged in developing NavIC enabled drones.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) had constituted the National Startup Advisory Council to advise the Government on measures needed to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation and startups in the country to drive sustainable economic growth and generate large scale employment opportunities.
Besides the ex-officio members, the council has non-official members, representing various stakeholders such as founders of successful startups, veterans who have grown and scaled companies in India, persons capable of representing interests of investors, incubators and accelerators into startups, representatives of associations of stakeholders of startups and representatives of industry associations.
It is a one of its kind congregation wherein the policy making process is driven as part of collaboration between all the key stakeholders of the Startup ecosystem.
Secretary, Department of Space also highlighted upon the various measures being undertaken by the Government in both strengthening NavIC’s capabilities and in creating a holistic ecosystem of software and hardware around the same. In the meeting, Prasar Bharti showcased trailer of the second edition of Startup Champions 2.0 which will be aired on bouquet of Doordarshan channels in coming months.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, officials and existing startups in the country. Some of them include Shri Manoj Kohli, Country Head, Softbank India; Shri Deepak Garg, Founder & CEO, Rivigo Service; Shri Abhiraj Bhal, Co-founder, UrbanCompany; Shri Kunal Bahl, Co-founder & CEO, Snapdeal; Shri Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder & Executive Vice Chairman, InfoEdge; Ms. Lizzie Chapman, Co-founder & CEO, ZestMoney; Shri Kunal Upadhyay, IIM Ahmedabad; Shri Rajan Anandan, Sequoia Capital; Shri Karthik Reddy, Chairperson, Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association; Shri Prashanth Prakash, Partner, Accel and others.
During the course of the meeting, the members also shared many interesting insights and views about the startup ecosystem and gave recommendations as to how the ecosystem can be strengthened further through various initiatives and programmes.
Shri Piyush Goyal asks Indian project exporters to explore markets in the developed world
Shri Piyush Goyal urges bankers to abandon conservatism and be open to taking risks
India has all the necessary ingredients to become a global player in project exports- Shri Piyush Goyal
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today asked project exporters to diversify and foray into markets of the developed world and urged them to not restrict themselves to Government Line of Credit Projects and projects in the developing world.
He was delivering the Keynote Address at the ‘Summit on Enhancing Global Opportunities for Indian Project Exporters’ organized by the Exim Bank in New Delhi today.
Developed countries may very well offer advantages of low risk and lower capital requirement with higher credit rating of projects which will enable companies to for higher credit limits, he elaborated.
He complimented India Exim Bank for supporting exporters, for organizing the Summit by including international stakeholders, and for conducting the study on Indian Project Exports.
Outlining the challenges that global economy has been facing since the start of 2022 such as the Omicron wave, global supply chain disruptions, soaring raw material costs, container shortages, global financial market volatility and geopolitical tensions, the Minister observed that it was in this context that the summit is both timely and important.
Observing that several heads of governments and ministers had chosen India as their first destination post Covid, the Minister said that it signalled the tremendous interest that the India story has generated in the world. It is a recognition of efforts put in by each citizen and is indicative of a bright future for the nation, he added.
The Minister congratulated all the stakeholders for the blockbuster export performance of nearly USD 675 billion in 2021-22 and the record-breaking services export of nearly USD 254 billion, even with a pandemic induced slow down in travel and hospitality. Even the export figures of April 2022 which touched almost USD 38 billion are historic, he noted.
Shri Goyal said that the IT sector’s performance during the pandemic was especially noteworthy and added that India did not let down a single international commitment during the pandemic. Thanks to visionary initiative like Digital India, the nation adapted very well to the exigencies of covid and made record service exports possible in a covid year, he explained.
Setting a target of USD 1 trillion worth of goods and services export each by 2030, the Minister said that the target could be achieved only with the whole-hearted participation of every single stake holder.
The Minister also urged the banking sector to abandon the mindset of conservatism that has set in the sector and be open to taking some risks and added that risk taking was an integral part of business.
India has all the necessary ingredients to become a global player in project exports, the Minister said and added that the world has realized that it is absolutely essential to invest in infrastructure. Project exports would also help our services and goods export to grow, he opined.
He asked the project export sector to look at credit enhancement schemes and find backstop arrangement for private banks to come into project financing.
Highlighting the Government’s Lines of Credit (LOC) programme that has particularly been pivotal in creating opportunities for Indian project exporters, the Minister said that through Concessional Financing Scheme (CFS),Government has been supporting Indian companies bidding for strategic infrastructure projects in the overseas market.
He specified the need for building businesses that are independent of government aid and said that with such businesses, chances of growth and chances of us penetrating the markets of the developed world are better. He urged Exim bank to help exporters by studying what developed world markets wanted and by guiding our infrastructure companies to meet those requirements.
He also asked project export sector to proactively engage with government’s FTA negotiations and give inputs and feedback about the market access problems or discriminations they faced with FTA countries. He assured that these concerns would be factored into India’s FTA negotiations.
Quoting Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Minister said ‘The world has great expectations from the India of 21st Century’. Our techies are leading the world from the front, our Farmers are now feeding the world, he said and added that it was time for our engineers and Project Managers be building the world.He assured to fully support Indian Project Exporters and take forward suggestions emanating from the deliberations at the summit to make India “The destination” for project exports.
The Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal chaired a meeting focused on the revamping and fortification of the Department of Commerce to make it future ready. Strengthening the Department is expected to enable the creation of the ecosystem to achieve robust and sustained high export growth.
Speaking at the meeting, Shri Piyush Goyal called for the consistent strengthening of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and other organizations and bodies that promote investment and trade. He opined that constant monitoring of exports was crucial in ensuring the achievement of targets on time.
It may be noted that there are several emerging opportunities in global trade owing to shifts in global trade dynamics like rapid growth of services and disruptive potential of climate change. There is thus an imminent need to proactively develop exports and build India’s brand in global trade.
The revamping of the Commerce Department is aimed at further building on its strategic direction and aspirations for the next decade. There is also a need for scaling up and re-engineering the operation model with enhanced ‘new-age’ capabilities and to move from inherent traditional roles to new roles.
The revamped Department to have a more coherent trade promotion strategy with clear targets and execution accountabilities. There will be a Strengthened negotiation ecosystem with right expertise and robust end-to-end processes with clearly defined focus areas and institutions. It aspires to achieve an optimal mix of talent with specialists and generalists sourced from across private and government sectors. The Department will have an agile setup responsive to market opportunities and exporter needs via interlinkages across bodies. There will also be synergized branding for India across all domains highlighting clear priority areas.
To this end, a project was undertaken to design a future ready Department of Commerce. Certain key recommendations were made by the project. A dedicated ‘Trade Promotion Body’ to drive overall promotion strategy, export targets and execution is proposed to be set up. A stronger active role for missions in Trade Promotion for market intel, leads generation & localized research has been envisaged. Strengthening Negotiations via multi-skilled negotiation teams and separation between bilateral and WTO negotiations has been envisioned.
It has also been proposed to set up a ‘Trade Remedies Review Committee’ Including Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Finance and line ministries for transparency in investigations outcomes. Centralization and digitization of trade facilitation processes has been recommended to drive ease of compliance and scheme administration. Rehauling data and analytics ecosystem via centralized data management and embedded analytics capabilities in Department of Commerce has been proposed. A concerted push to strengthen Brand India and re-enforces trade priorities is in the works.
The meeting was attended by Shri BVR Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO, NITI Aayog, Ms. Rachna Shah, Additional Secretary, Shri Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Director General, DGFT, Shri Prashant Kumar Singh, CEO, GeM, Shri Anant Swarup, Joint Secretary, Shri Darpan Jain, Joint Secretary, Shri Manish Chadha, Joint Secretary and other officials.
The Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal on Tuesday virtually inaugurated 50th Convocation Ceremony of National Sugar Institute, Kanpur as a part of celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav being organised by Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD).
In his inaugural address, Shri Goyal said that the Imperial Institute of Sugar Technology at Kanpur was established in October, 1936. In April 1957, the name of the Institute was again changed to National Sugar Institute (N.S.I.).
The institute organized the convocation during which Fellowship, Post Graduate Diploma and Certificates were given to 460 students who passed out during the academic sessions 2018-19 and 2019-20. Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadvi Niranjan Jyoti felicitated the students in Kanpur.
Out of it, 34 students were conferred Gold Medals viz Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal, ISGEC Gold Medal, CVSubba Rao Gold Medal and other awards sponsored by ISMA, NFCSF, M/s Shrijee Heavy Engineering Pvt. Ltd. and Praj Industries Ltd. etc. The alumni of the institute occupy very senior position in the sugar industry not only in the country but in other sugar producing countries in the world too.
Shri Goyal congratulated the students. Talking about the quality of sugar in India, he said it’s the best. “The quality of Sugar in India is the best. Like chocolates are found all over the world, can our mithais (sweets) replace chocolates at some stage? If mithais could make way in to the hearts of people in other countries, then our sugar products will get a natural market without needing any subsidies or Govt intervention.”
“The Sugar industry is the backbone of rural economy & as experts of Sugar Industry you are crucial to bring Aatmanirbharta to farmers, villages & nation,” he added.
Shri Goyal said that by increasing the productivity, the sugar industry will help to increase income of lakhs of farmers in India. He said, “As they say “Infuse your life with action. Don’t wait for it to happen. Make it happen. Make your own future. Make your own hope”.
He said that it should be the resolve of the Institute and its students to increase the Productivity & value addition in 50 lakh hectares of land under sugarcane farmers. He said that the institute and its students have the ability to change lives as well as livelihoods of lakhs of farmers. “At NSI, you’ve been provided discipline & training; remember this training is for having confidence in your abilities to create change,” he remarked.
He said that at 7.1 MT, India saw an all-time high Sugar exports in 20-21, astounding 20% growth. “In 2020-21, 92% Sugar cane dues have been cleared, highest paid amount in any sugar season. In UP alone, Cane price Arrears in 2017 was Rs.10,661 cr. Under the able leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, current cane price arrears are at Rs. 3,895 cr,” Shri Goyal said.
He added, “Under Double engine Sarkar of PM Modi & CM Yogi, we have brought Ease of Living to UP’s sugarcane farmers. Sugarcane Productivity (in tons/ hectare) in UP has reached 81.50 in 2020-21 from 72.38 in 2016-17.”
He said that to achieve target of 20% ethanol blending by 2025, NSI, Kanpur can play a central role. “With highest ever Fair & Remunerative Price (Rs 290/qtl) for sugarcane farmers, we have shown
our resolve to Double income of farmers. In UP, state administered price for early variety Rs 350/qtl, normal variety Rs 340/qtl & lower variety at Rs 330/qtl,” he said.
More than 9000 students have passed out till academic session 2020-21 which include students from more than 20 countries e.g. Nigeria, Thailand, Shri Lanka, Bhutan, Vietnam, Uganda, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Iran, Kenya, Yemen and Nepal etc.
In addition to regular courses, the institute also conducts Refresher Courses / Short Term Training Programmes / Executive Development Programmeetc. for enhancing the knowledge of in-service personnel, carrying out skill development and with a view to update knowledge of staff working in sugar factories & distilleries about the recent technological developments.
The Institute, during the last few years has developed many modern amenities for conducting effective teaching & training and is the only institute in the world to have a Mini Sugar Plant, Sugar Refinery, Speciality Sugar Division, Nano Ethanol Unit and Brewery for imparting hands on training to the students of various courses.
The institute is continuously upgrades itself to serve sugar, alcohol and allied industry in a better manner. An analytical lab (NABL & BIS accredited) has also been setup for analysing samples of sugar, ethanol & other process intermediates. The institute is taking steps to setup an innovative centre for value-added jiggery & jaggery based products. A training centre is also under final stages of completion.
The Institute in unison with the sugar industry regularly conducts seminars/workshop/brain storming sessions on various important topics related to by-product utilization, specialty sugar production, environmental issues, energy and water conservation and on adoption of innovative technologies in sugar and alcohol production.
The institute has played a major role in bringing about technological up-gradation of the sugar industry over the years. It provides around 150 – 200 consultancies to sugar, alcohol and other allied industry every year. Institute also extends its services to Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and various other Government Departments upon request.
The institute is conducting 12 courses in Sugar Technology, Sugar Engineering, Alcohol Technology and other related disciplines which include 3 Fellowship, 6 PG Diploma and 3 Certificate level courses.
Various research work particularly on developing innovative process technologies, value addition for better utilization of by-products of the sugar industry are carried out by the institute. The institute has developed various models of sacrificing sugar to boost ethanol production for the benefit of the industry.
Apart from publishing about 40 research articles per year in reputed national and international journals and other proceedings, Institute has filed 07 patent applications during the last five years.
The institute has also recently signed MOUs with various organization including University of Assiut, Egypt and Nigerian Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Nigeria for collaborative research and training in the field of sugar and alcohol industry. The institute is also extending technical consultancy for setting up of a sugar institute at Ilorin, Nigeria and imparting training to their faculty members.
Sugar Standards for each season are prepared and supplied by Bureau of Sugar Standards, National Sugar Institute, Kanpur to sugar factories and other users to facilitate quality control, marking and marketing of sugar. The institute supports BIS in formulating standards for various type of sugars and machinery used in the sugar industry.
Indian sugar industry is the backbone of rural economy. Sugarcane is produced in about 50 lakh hectare area in the country. This year also the record production of sugar, even after diversion of B heavy molasses etc. has taken place and is expected to be around 310 lakh tons. Due to imbalances in demand and supply from last several years, new challenges have arisen in front of the sugar industry.
For the continuous, steady and continuous growth of the income of the sugar industry, due attention is required, first, to balance demand and production of sugar along with improving its quality. Second, to increase the gross income from various sources while balancing the cost of production. The potential of entire sugar cane value chain is to be harnessed. The economic and environmental sustainability is required to be achieved and for which competent manpower is very much needed.
Lot of resources are provided to prepare serious, honest and educated young generation for the service of the nation. Therefore, it is expected from them to come up to the expectations. Hard work with full devotion and commitment to face all the challenges with courage is the key to success.
Under Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY), the Central Government is providing 1kg of sugar per AAY family per month through the Public Distribution System (PDS) for which the Central Government is reimbursing Rs. 18.50 per kg to States/UTs as subsidy on the quantity actually purchased and distributed to beneficiaries by the respective States/UTs. Uttar Pradesh has 40.945 lakh beneficiaries under the AAY scheme.
Following table shows Sugar/EthanolsectorscenariointhestateofUttarPradesh:
Sugar
No.of installedsugar mills
158
TotalareaundercanecultivationinUttarPradesh
27.60lakhHectare
No.ofoperationalmillsinsugar season2020-21
120
TotalNo.ofmillslikelytobeoperatedinSS2020-21
120
canecrushedduring currentseason SS2020-21
1027lakhMT
SugarProductionSS2020-21
110.6lakhMT
Likelysugarproductionin2021-22SS
114lakhMT
Likelysugardiversiontoethanolin2021-22SS
12-13
TotalcanepricepayableforSS2020-21
33014Cr.
Cane Price paid ( As on 11.11.2021)
29,034Cr.(87.95%)
CaneduesPending (Ason 11.11.2021)
3980Cr.
Expectedconsumptionofsugarin UP
45lakhMT
Est.Surplus stock of sugar in UPat the end of 2020-21 SS
In addition, two sugar mills one each of Balarampur and Dalmia Group have been permitted to produce ethanol directly from cane juice. Uttar Pradesh is the largest producer of ethanol in India. 73 proposals have been recommended by DFPD under the Modified interest subvention scheme notified on 14.01.2021 for which GOI has recommended loan for an amount of Rs. 7733 Cr. (Maximum share of ethanol production is in central and western UP). 13 projects of about 37 Cr ltrs/annum capacity are likely to be completed by December, 2021 and 2 projects of 5.5 Cr Ltrs capacity are likely to be completed between January, 2022 and May, 2022.
The surplus production of ethanol on account of excess available capacity in the state can be utilized for supply under EBP in the neighboring deficit States/UTs like Delhi, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand & Chandigarh. UP has about 7.73 Lakh hectare area under Maize production during a year. The major share of maize production is concentrated in the districts of Bahraich, Bulandshahr, Faurrkhabad, Kannauj, Kasganj & Mainpuri. 1MT of FCI rice yields about 450 ltrs of ethanol and 1MT of maize yields about 380 ltrs of ethanol. As such, using rice and maize for ethanol production will be economically beneficial for the industry as well as the farmers of the state. It will thus give impetus to the EBP programme.
