Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) an apex body of handicrafts exporters for promotion of exports of Handicrafts from country and projecting India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality of handicrafts goods & services and ensured various measures keeping in view of observance of international standards and specification has started a 24 days product development programme at Aizawl, Mizoram from 11th July 2019 to 3rd August 2019 with the financial support of Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), (North-East Region).

The objective of the programme is to improve the international competitiveness of locally produced exportable products and also to provide a marketing platform to the lesser explored craft of the area which will enable the engaged artisans to improve their livelihood.

From the cluster, Ten (10) skilled artisans have been selected and the team headed by one experience Designer. High-end prototypes will be developed during the programme and after completion of the programme; the developed products will be placed before the international buyers in the most significant and distinct handicraft sourcing platform in Asia – IHGF Delhi Fair (Autumn) 2019 from October, 16-20, 2019, at India Expo Mart & Centre, Delhi – NCR. This exposure will enable the participants from the North East States to understand the needs, Marketing strategy, Design requirement, packaging specifications as required by the overseas for selling the product in the international stores.

Further, display at International Trade Platforms will create continuous recall value and evokes interest amongst the target audience, which in our case includes buyers, wholesalers, retailers, chain stores and decision-makers coming from all over the world.

EPCH has engaged Isaac Laltanpuia(Designer), Melody Lalthanmawii(Designer) for the programme and entrepreneur K Lalmuanpuii from Aizawl to market these products in various exhibitions and trade fairs organized by EPCH.

The artisans from NE States with the support of DC (Handicrafts) has given opportunities for participation in IHGF Delhi Fair organized by EPCH to explore exports & undertake Brand image promotion campaigns in traditional as well as non-traditional markets.

Every year Council participates on an average 30 exhibitions abroad with exporters of handicrafts and conducts brand image promotion seminars for creating awareness and market intelligence & linkages.

EPCH has conducted 101 comprehensive capacity development programmes for the handicrafts of North East covering 4,323 beneficiaries (Entrepreneurs / Artisans). Further EPCH has provided retail and export opportunities on a long term basis to the entrepreneurs & craft persons of the North Eastern States of India w.e.f. 2015-16 to 2019-20 (till date).

The project focuses on entrepreneurs/exporters to withstand the fierce & competitive international market and increase employment opportunities, thereby improving the livelihood of artisans of the region. EPCH has projected the NER handicrafts’ specific image by setting up of a thematic display of North Eastern Handicrafts in international level exhibitions in India as well as trade shows of prime repute, overseas.