Page 3 - Craftcil August 2025

Chairman’s Message

Dear Fellow Exporters,

This is an undeniably challenging period, yet we continue to stand firm, meeting
concerned Government Ministries for support while working on strategies to
steer the sector towards sustenance.
You must be aware that as a collective representation of the Indian handicrafts
sector, EPCH has urged the Govt. of India to intervene on the European Union
Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), as its stringent requirements could disrupt
exports, burden small producers and threaten thousands of livelihoods. Our
woodcraft hubs like Saharanpur and Jodhpur would be severely affected, despite using sustainable raw materials
which do not contribute to deforestation.
Our delegations have met Shri. Giriraj Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, Government of India; Shri. Gajendra Singh
Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of India and Shri Bhupender Yadav,
Hon’ble Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. We have also requested the Ministry
of Commerce & Industry to seek a collective approach that combines regulatory support and proactive engagement with
the EU seeking defermentation of EUDR implementation or exemptions for Mango, Acacia and Sheesham wood, and
other ministries to issue directives enabling geo-location data at harvest to ensure deforestation-free traceability.
Our concerns have been heard and we have been assured of support.

EPCH has also raised concerns over the steep tariffs imposed by the United States, subjecting handicrafts to a 50%
reciprocal duty effective 27th August 2025. This critical challenge threatens both trade volumes and livelihoods. We
are working closely with the Government for urgent fiscal and non-fiscal measures, while also pursuing market
diversification to secure growth opportunities. The Autumn 2025 edition of the IHGF Delhi Fair, scheduled from
13th to 17th October 2025, stands as a pivotal opportunity to not only reinforce market diversification strategies but
also to expand our footprint into emerging and high-potential regions.

Amidst this global trade volatility, the U.P. Export Promotion Policy 2025-30 provides a timely and practical support
for our exporters. With provisions to boost exports, improve competitiveness and uplift artisan livelihoods in key
clusters like Moradabad, Saharanpur, Agra and Firozabad, this is a progressive framework aligned with its vision of
strengthening ecosystems, expanding markets and enhancing compliance across the handicraft value chain. We had
met Shri Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh recently and requested for an enhanced, MSME-friendly
export policy with suggestive policy interventions and strategies to boost exports from Uttar Pradesh. We are
grateful to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for his vision & support.

We also welcome the NextGen GST. We thank Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Finance
& Corporate Affairs Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for placing handicrafts in the 5% merit. These reforms make handmade
products more affordable for Indian consumers, catalyses modern retail and enhance ease of doing business and most
importantly releases immediate working capital for producer groups to invest in design, quality and scale.

I welcome your suggestions and feedback at chairman@epch.com.

(Dr. Neeraj Khanna)
Chairman, EPCH

CRAFTCIL • AUGUST 2025 3