CEPC Welcomes India–US BTA; A Timely Boost for IndianHandmade Carpet Exports and Artisan Livelihoods

New Delhi:The Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), representing the Indian handmade carpetindustry, has welcomed the conclusion of the India–US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA),terming it a timely and decisive intervention for a sector that has faced prolonged challenges inglobal markets.The Indian handmade carpet industry was among the most afected by elevated tariffregimes. Nearly 60 per cent of India’s handmade carpet exports are destined for the US,making it the single largest market for the sector. Along with the European Union, the UScontinues to be one of the most critical destinations for Indian handmade carpets.CEPC expressed its sincere gratitude to the Government of India for its focused and sustainedeforts under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Ministerof Commerce & Industry Sh Piyush Goyal, and Hon’ble Minister of Textiles Sh GirirajSingh, whose proactive trade diplomacy has significantly expanded and improved marketaccess for Indian handmade carpets.Welcoming the development, Captain Mukesh Gombar, Chairman, CEPC, stated that whilethe India–EU and India–UK FTAs had already provided partial relief to the industry, theIndia–US FTA has brought unprecedented cheer, especially with the rollback of tarifs to 18per cent from the earlier 50 per cent. He noted that this correction has restoredcompetitiveness to Indian handmade carpets in their most important export market and hasrevived exporter and buyer confidence.Shri Aslam Mahboob, Vice Chairman, CEPC, observed that the industry is closing thecurrent financial year on a positive note and entering the new financial year with keypolicy checkboxes firmly ticked. He emphasized that these Trade Agreements are expectedto have a strong positive impact on India’s USD 2 billion handmade carpet industry,directly benefiting nearly 2.5 million artisans associated with the craft across the country.Dr Smita Nagarkoti, Executive Director(of.), CEPC, informed that the Council will undertakestructured outreach and awareness programmes for exporters and stakeholders tofamiliarise them with the opportunities, compliance requirements, and procedural aspects of theIndia–UK and India–EU FTAs, ensuring that the benefits of these agreements percolateefectively to the grassroots level.CEPC reafirmed its commitment to working closely with the Government of India to leveragethe Trade Agreements for export growth, enhanced artisan incomes, and the long-term globalleadership of India in the handmade carpet sector.