Created under the Indian Companies Act of 1956, Jute Products Development & Export Promotion Council (JPDEPC) is an industry-led, government recognized body to develop jute products and aid export of Jute.
The basic activities are of arranging bespoke products as per customers’ requirements, analyzing buyers and sellers, strategizing marketing plans and acting as a registering authority for issue of Registration-cum-Membership Certificates for exporters of Jute and Jute Products.
The Council is constantly endeavoring to broaden its horizon of activities and take care of the needs of existing as well as budding entrepreneurs. It strives to make substantial contribution to export basket of jute products and finally ease up the activity of doing business. Over the last few years, the Council headed by Chairmen like Mr Manish Kajaria, Vivek Agarwal and Neel Kankani saw a spurt in promotional activities which gave birth to immensely successful events like the Jutexpo which is held annually in Kolkata. Jutexpo is a unique platform for buyers across the globe to come and interact with Indian manufacturers and exporters of jute products.
The Council, under the guidance of Smt Smriti Irani, Minister of Textiles, Govt of India and support from Ministry of Commerce and DC Handicrafts has undertaken several programs for design development, artisan education and market research. Apart from domestic events, international events across the globe like participation in trade fairs and buyer-seller meets are organized at subsidized cost for enhancement of trade between India and other countries. Ambitious projects to setup Jute Park with a common facility center are under planning to add value and remove constraints of the Jute industry.
As the Vice Chairman of the Council, my prime focus is to educate, encourage and enlighten Indian entrepreneurs about the vast opportunities of a successful career in jute industry which will not only be beneficial to them but also generate employment and earn precious foreign exchange for the country.
Participation in International Sourcing Expo, Australia :
We have come to Melbourne with a delegation of 11 manufacturers of jute products, who are mainly exhibiting shopping bags, gift bags, beach bags, etc. Corporates around the world are aware of their social responsibilities towards environment and hence are promoting ethically manufactured eco-friendly bags in place of plastic and paper ones.
The purpose of our participation in this fair, International Sourcing Fair, is to showcase jute products and make people aware of jute as an eco-friendly option. Recently Australian companies like Coles and Woolsworth placed substantial orders for Jute/Juco bags with Indian manufacturers which were well accepted by the Australian consumers. This emboldens us further and we see a good opportunity here in Australia for our products. The Indian Embassy in Australia was kind enough to promote our participation in the event.
In a chat with Mr. Rajesh Kumar Khemka, Vice Chairman of Jute Products Development & Export Promotion Council and owner of R Kumar & Company, during International Sourcing Expo in Melbourne, Australia.