Tap EU, the largest ceramic consumer
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Dr. R.K. Dhawan, Chairman, FIEO(NR) (2nd from left) addressing the meeting. With him are from left, Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Jt. Commissioner, Export Promotion Bureau, Govt. of UP; Mr. Sunil Agnihotri, Director, FIEO(NR) and Mr. Sudesh Sharma, President, Khurja Pottery Manufacture Association(KPMA). |
With the growing purchasing power of people across the world, interior design industry is booming and so is the demand for ceramic products. Ceramic gifts and decoratives like statuettes, vases, pots etc. are today adorning the wardrobes of not only so called elites but also the middle class people who find these items inexpensive and yet environment friendly. FIEO’s Northern Region Chairman Dr. R. K. Dhawan said this during a two-day Export Development Programme held at Khurja, the biggest manufacturing cluster for various types of potteries in India. The prgramme was jointly organized by FIEO and IIFT from 18 to 19th February.
European Union is a very large consumer of ceramic products. During 2005, total ceramic imports made by EU were worth approximately 898 million Euros, of which 602 million Euros were for statuettes and 297 million Euros were for other ceramic articles like pots, vases, etc., Dr. Dhawan informed.
As regards suppliers, Dr. Dhawan said, during this year, 56% of the EU’s import requirement of ceramic products were met from developing countries with China supplying 33.5% of the total import value, followed by Vietnam 12.4%, Indonesia 1.1%, Thailand 2.4% and others 6.6%. In order to promote the sector, Dr. Dhawan suggests organizing excusive ceramics fairs in India for international buyers.
Mr. Prabhat Kumar, Joint Commissioner, Export Promotion Bureau, UP Government in his inaugural address also said that the European Union was a major market for these products. He suggested Indian exporters to tap this market and avail government incentives for participating in exhibitions abroad.
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Mr. Sudesh Sharma, President, Khurja Pottery Manufacture Association appreciated the initiative taken by FIEO and IIFT in organizing the Programme and said that such programmes would help the small manufacturers of ceramic products to understand the international market. Mr. S K Verma and Mr. Madan Lal, the two faculties from IIFT, made detailed presentations about various development schemes and the benefits offered to SSI units. Towards the end of the Programme, Dr. Dhawan gave away certificates to more than 150 participants. |
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A view of the audience |
