Gujarat to partner online portals to boost handicrafts

The Gujarat State Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (GSHHDC) is in talks with online shopping portals Flipkart and Snapdeal to sign an agreement to boost sales of handloom and handicrafts like Patolas, Bandhanis, hand-blocked printing and variety of products from the desert district of Kutch under the brand name Garvi Gurjari.

The state government officials are of the opinion that by retailing Gujarat's handloom and handicrafts on shopping portals, it would be able to generate good revenue for the artisans and the drive would give a big boost to nearly 50,000 handloom and handicraft artisans across the state who sell their products through GSHHDC. At present, the total annual revenue of GSHHDC is more than Rs 30 crores.

Currently, the corporation sells its product range through 23 emporiums across the country. GSHHDC, under the name Garvi-Gurjari organizes some 60 handicraft and handloom exhibitions every year across India. The revenue earned through these exhibitions after deducting the administrative and handling charges are handed over to the artisans and craftsmen.