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In last two decades many SE Asian countries laid emphasis on technological up-gradation of the production techniques, mass production, quality, customer oriented design and product development, packaging, marketing channels and provided sustainable supply chain management and turned into sourcing hub for the developed countries. The countries like China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Cambodia etc. have major impact on their GDP and economical development due to the professional support provided by their respective Governments.
The North East Region is blessed with variety of exquisite Handicrafts and Handcrafted Textiles which are practiced in every household with 8.87 lakhs handicraft artisans alone as per the NCEAR census in 95-96. The most important crafts of this region are Cane and Bamboo, Mat weaving, Basketry, wood work, brass craft, handmade & hand-printed textiles, tribal jewellery, terracotta, stone crafts etc. However despite the regions strength in these employment generating sectors, very few efforts have been made in a integrated manner to project handicrafts sector in a marketable manner with strong institutional support and with a holistic approach.
With this background a inclusive growth scheme has been envisaged for intervention in these employment generating sectors of North East Region in the areas of Capacity Development, Design and Product Development, creation of Facilities. The basic of the scheme is to to develop entire North East as a unified cluster and centre of excellence. The other objective of the scheme is to provide a boost in the NE economy by integrating the segregated efforts made till date and launching an entrepreneur driven scheme with an objective to create more than 5 lakhs additional employment opportunities in toughest region of North East. The scheme is also aim towards social equilibrium through raising the living standards of millions of poor artisans located in far flung areas of North East by strong backward integrated. Recently there has been a paradigm shift in the Indian Retail scenario and the implementation of the scheme will also help to tap this unlimited potential beside the export markets.
All the existing schemes of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) as well as other complementary schemes available in other ministries can be integrated into the proposed comprehensive Inclusive Growth Scheme for Development and Promotion of North Eastern Crafts with a strong and proactive capacity building and technical assistance.
The target is to convert a strong and skilled workforce of more than 5000 entrepreneurs into successful marketers / exporters over a passage of three years with the creation of strong backward integration by creating additional employment of more than 5 lakhs people in next 5 years. The scheme shall be implemented in all the 8 states of North East. |
