SHOPIAN: As part of the public outreach programme of the department, a one day seminar cum awareness camp was organized by the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms, Shopian, at Gagren on Tuesday.

During the day-long camp, the experts from Craft Development Institute and Industries and Commerce Department apprised the participants of GI, product branding, marketing strategies and product diversification.

More than 100 artisans and local people attended the event.

The Department deliberated upon the importance of the sector for boosting UT's economy. It exhorted upon the participants to avail the benefits being offered under different departmental schemes including credit card scheme for artisans and weavers, Weavers Mudra Scheme, Education Scholarship for children of Artisans and Weavers, Karkhandar Scheme, Financial Assistance to Cooperative Societies and GI tagging of selected kashmiri crafts like Pashmina, carpet weaving and Sozni Embroidery.

Sheikh Hemayun Javaid, Assistant Director Handicrafts and Handloom Shopian presided over the event.