Govt provides opportunity to Kashmiri artisans to display handicrafts at India International Trade Fair

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 13 (STC): Kashmiri artisans are going to display a wide array of Kashmir’s traditional handicrafts at the 44th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, scheduled to be held from November 14 to 27 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Thirty-five artisans and weavers from Kashmir will be participating in the fair, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). IITF is the country’s largest trade-cum-consumer fair and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The event provides a platform for artisans and businesses to showcase their products to domestic and international buyers.
The selection of artisans was done by the Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation through a draw of lots. The selected participants include five each from Srinagar and Budgam, three each from Baramulla, Ganderbal, Anantnag, and Bandipora, two each from Kupwara, Shopian, Pulwama, and Kulgam, and five from registered cooperative societies, a statement issued by the Handicrafts and Handlooms Department of Kashmir reads.
Notably, the artisans will display handicrafts including Pashmina and Kani shawls, Sozni and Crewel embroidery, hand-knotted silk carpets, walnut wood carvings, and Papier Mache items. The fair offers these craftsmen a direct marketing opportunity to reach buyers and ensures they benefit fully from the sale of their work.
Participation in IITF 2025 will not only provide Kashmir’s GI-tagged handicrafts with exposure on a global platform but will also help empower the region’s craftsmen economically. The direct interaction with domestic and international buyers is expected to strengthen sales channels and promote Kashmir’s cultural heritage, said a spokesman of the Handicrafts department.
By connecting skilled artisans directly with consumers, the fair aims to enhance the visibility and marketability of Kashmir’s traditional products.
The participation of these 35 craftsmen is being seen as an important step towards supporting local artisans, preserving traditional skills, and integrating Kashmir’s handicrafts into larger domestic and international markets.
(Straight Talk Communications)