The Handicrafts Department is organizing a series of outreach programmes to make artisans and weavers aware about various schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government for promotion of handicrafts and handloom products made in Jammu and Kashmir.These awareness camps shall be held across all the 20 districts of J&K with active participation of artisans from Carpet industry, Pashmina and Kani shawl, Sozni and Crewel embroidery, Chain Stitch, Tweed, Papier Machie, Bamboo work, Basohli paintings, Copperware, Walnut carving, Willow wicker and Khatamband.The camps are being held in the backdrop of the huge export potential of genuine hand-made products from J&K to overseas destinations like United States and several countries in Europe and Asia. On an average, Jammu and Kashmir has been exporting handmade items worth Rs.1500 crore to Rs. 1700 crore annually over the last 5 years.During the awareness camps, the Department shall educate stakeholders about various schemes like cluster development under SFURTI (Scheme of Funds for Regeneration of Traditional Industries), MSME-CDP (Cluster Development Programme), restructuring of training programmes, credit linkages, brand promotion through GI registration, design innovation through institutes like Craft Development Institute (CDI) and easy availability of raw material on affordable rates. They shall also be made aware about the efficacy of forming self-help groups and advantages of participation in big ticket exhibitions that provide a direct buyer-seller interface.Pertinently, the Handicrafts and Handlooms sector has been shortlisted as one of the 14 focus sectors in J&K for investment along with Tourism, Power, Pharma, Education, Housing, Food Processing, Horticulture, Wool Processing and IT sectors.