Jammu and Kashmir has taken a major step toward strengthening the global presence of its traditional handicrafts and handloom sector through a two-day consultative workshop held at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar.
The programme was jointly organised by the Handicrafts and Handloom Department of J&K, under the Industries and Commerce Department, along with the Ministry of Textiles, with a focus on supporting India’s target of achieving USD 100 billion in textile exports by 2030.
The workshop brought together policymakers, exporters, artisans, trade officials, representatives from Export Promotion Councils, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, and industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for export-driven growth in the region’s textile economy.
Discussions during the first day focused on the District Export Action Plan (DEAP), where participants identified district-level strengths and opportunities for export expansion, while the second day concentrated on the State and Union Territory Export Action Plan (SEAP), addressing policy reforms and measures required to improve the international competitiveness of J&K’s textile and handicraft industries.
Key topics covered during the sessions included India’s Foreign Trade Policy 2023, free trade agreements, sustainability and ESG standards, cluster-based industrial development, and strengthening connections between local artisans and international markets.
During the event, the Ministry of Textiles designated Budgam and Baramulla as Aspirational Districts and recognised Srinagar as a Champion District, acknowledging their strong contribution to the textile and handicraft sector and making them eligible for focused infrastructure and export-related support.
The recommendations and policy suggestions emerging from the workshop will be submitted at a National Consultative Summit scheduled for June 2026, where inputs from states and union territories across India will contribute to a broader national strategy for achieving the country’s textile export ambitions.
Officials stated that the initiative is expected to help integrate Jammu & Kashmir more effectively into global textile value chains while promoting the region’s traditional craftsmanship under the government’s “Local to Global” vision.