Srinagar, Sep 17: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Wednesday reviewed the newly framed Action Plan for Promotion of Exports of Handicrafts and Handloom Products, targeting an increase in Jammu and Kashmir’s textile and apparel exports from the present ₹800 crore to ₹2,000 crore by 2030.

The meeting, attended by senior officers from the Industries & Commerce Department, Handicrafts & Handloom, J&K Handicrafts Corporation, Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT), NIFT and other concerned institutions, focused on strengthening the export ecosystem and improving the global reach of J&K’s traditional crafts.
Dulloo directed the department to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the sector’s strengths, competitive advantages and challenges before finalising the implementation framework. He called for a year-wise strategy up to 2030, with clearly defined targets, measurable milestones and timelines.
He also stressed the need for capacity building, infrastructure development, dedicated clusters and better organisation of artisans and craftsmen. The department was asked to leverage Central Government schemes and formulate UT-specific interventions to achieve the export targets within a defined timeframe.
Emphasising the importance of evidence-based planning, the Chief Secretary said projections and assessments forming the basis of the Action Plan should be supported by reliable data and scientific analysis.
Commissioner Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Vikramjit Singh, outlined the strategic framework for 2026–30, comprising State Export Action Plans (SEAPs) and District Export Action Plans (DEAPs) tailored to the strengths of individual districts.
He said J&K’s position in the Export Preparedness Index among Small States, North-Eastern States and Union Territories had improved from 36th in 2020 to second in 2024.
According to the proposed Action Plan, the number of active registered exporters is targeted to rise to 15,000 by 2030 from the present 269 active RCMC exporters, with a potential pipeline of around 1,000 users.
The plan also targets 100 per cent GI-QR tagging of exports to improve authenticity and traceability, ₹100 crore in e-commerce exports through digital onboarding and market access, and more than 50 per cent utilisation of Free Trade Agreements, against the current level of below 20 per cent.
Immediate priorities over the next two years include expanding the Artisan Credit Card, establishing Export Textile Planning Cells under Tex-RAMPS and launching the unified “Soulful J&K” GI branding campaign.
Medium-term measures include ESG and EUDR compliance certification for more than 100 manufacturing units and establishment of raw-material banks to strengthen production and export capacity.
The Action Plan also proposes greater utilisation of Central textile schemes, including RoSCTL and SAMARTH, besides the J&K Export Subsidy Scheme, 2021, under which eligible exporters can avail a 10 per cent subsidy subject to a maximum of ₹5 crore per exporter.
Dulloo stressed sustained institutional coordination, regular monitoring and effective implementation of the Action Plan to expand J&K’s export footprint and strengthen sustainable livelihoods for its nearly 4.5 lakh artisans and craftsmen.