India, China discuss ways to promote export of handmade carpets to Beijing

New Delhi, Feb 17 (ANI): India and China have decided to promote export of Indian handmade carpets to China to diversify the trade basket and address the imbalance in the trade between the two countries.

Union Commerce, Industry and Textiles Minister Anand Sharma, who met the Governor of Qinghai Province of China, Luo Huining, here today, noted that 'of the total export of handmade carpets amounting to US $ 653.86 Million only US$ 4.83 million are exported to China which is way below the potential that the two big and growing economies have'.

He suggested that the exhibitors from India showcasing their products in exhibitions in China be allowed duty free with a restricted value.

Sharma raised issue of the need for lower duty on the import of Indian Handmade Carpets.

"High Duty on these carpets make them expensive for the rising consumer class of your country and does not help the local industry very much," he added.

Sharma also suggested that in order to have effective distribution of handmade carpets to China a bonded warehouse facility would be provided in the carpet city, Xining (Qinghai Province), which will help the importers to cater the domestic market.

"We can have a study group or joint working group on carpets to advise both the governments," he said.

Indian handmade carpet industry is ranked number one in the international market having market share of around 35 percent of total world import of handmade carpets. Carpet City, Xining in Qinghai Province, is the major centre from the point of view of Indian Handmade Carpet Industry.

The export target of the Indian handmade carpet industry is fixed for US$ 800.00 million for the year 2011-12. The industry is highly labour intensive and provides employment to over one Million workers in the rural areas.

However, immense potential for growth of production and exports still exists as the industry is spread over in number of States having abundance manpower and raw material. (ANI)