Handicraft Corp to market its products vigorously

Handicraft Corp to market its products vigorously
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 11
Increasing overheads and liability has forced state-run Handicraft Corporation to vigorously market its product amongst the tourists, a sector which was neglected till date.
“The corporation has now decided to reach up to tourist places to increase its sale of handicraft items,” Goa Handicraft Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation (GHRSSIDC) Chairman Sameer Salgaoncar told reporters.
He informed that the annual All India level Craft Bazar will be organized at Baga beach, this year so as to attract large portion of foreign and domestic tourists.
“Last year we had organised the Craft Bazar in Panjim, where we failed to attract tourists as well as the locals,” the Chairman said.
The Craft Bazar at Baga will be held from December 22 to December 31.
Not just this, the corporation will be having ‘Aaparant Maand’, an exhibition of handicrafts in beach village of Mandrem.
“We just don’t want tourists to buy items but want them to discuss about our products in their respective places,” Salgaoncar said adding that the corporation will also organize mini exhibitions all over the country, especially in metros to market the products. 
Setting an eye at the foreign market, the corporation members have been to places like Greece and Los Angeles to market the products.
“The thrust is on tapping the export market. India has exports of handicrafts worth Rs 10 crore annually, even if get one per cent of it than it will help the artisans,” Salgaoncar said adding that the exports have already begun with two shipments of hammock being sent to Switzerland from Goa.
The corporation officials will be also visiting Munich in Germany to market Goan handicraft. Goan handicraft was also part of the recently held Common Wealth Games at New Delhi.
With around Rs 31 crore turnovers recorded through trading of steel, coal and sale of handicrafts during last Financial Year, the corporation had to also shell out Rs 2.28 crore as salary liabilities of its employees.
Salgaoncar said that with implementation of Sixth pay commission, the salary liability and overhead costs are running upwards, which has made the corporation to look into revenue generating asserts.
As such, GHRSSIDC has decided to tap its unutilized assets like land to earn the revenue.
“We don’t have too many properties that we can look into for the profits. The corporation has decided to lease out the plot of 20,000 sq meters at Verna Industrial Estate to a private party so that it can earn profits,” he said.
The corporation will be soon approaching Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to get consultation on use of a plot available.
“A portion of the land is currently being used as a steel yard for the company’s steel business,” Salgaoncar said adding that the proper utilization of balance portion of the land is expected to generate additional revenue for the corporation.