Srinagar, Aug 28: After the conclusion of the two-day inter-state council meeting here, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited a handicraft and handloom exhibition here today.
Accompanied by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his deputy Mangat Ram Sharma, Vajpayee evinced keen interest in the handicrafts and handloom products and the intricate and fascinating designs specially on the shawls, carpets and other products.
Presenting a shawl and a carpet to Vajpayee as a token of love from people of Kashmir, Sayeed sought liberal central assistance for promotion of handicrafts which, he said, had helped the state in sustaining its fragile economy during difficult times.
Sharma informed the Prime Minister that the state produced handicraft products worth Rs 775 crore last year of which goods worth Rs 520 crore had been exported.
The sector was providing employment to 3.50 lakh people both directly and indirectly, he added.

The exhibition was jointly being organised by the handloom and export corporation at the Sher-e-Kashmir international convention centre here.
Bureau Report