In Bhadohi, during the 49th International Carpet Fair organised by the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), CM Yogi assured exporters about the circumstances arising from the American tariff. He stated that there is no need to fear these tariffs, as they also present an opportunity for the country’s new trade policy. The government stands with the industry, and a high-level committee is actively assessing the situation caused by these tariffs. At present, the foreign exchange situation is stable. This year, the fair also saw the participation of state departments such as Khadi, Village Industries, Handloom, Handicrafts, and others.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities for UP’s Carpet Industry
CM Yogi emphasised that challenges such as the US tariffs can also present valuable opportunities for growth. He reassured industry stakeholders that while tariffs from one country may threaten exports, the government is proactively building trade partnerships with nations like the UAE and UK, which will open new international avenues. To address industry concerns, a high-level committee has been formed to continuously monitor the impact of tariffs.
CM underlined that the government’s ambition is not just to protect the carpet sector, but to help it thrive globally. He cited the remarkable revival of the Bhadohi, Mirzapur, and Varanasi carpet clusters under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, noting the rapid upscale in buyer attendance at the Carpet Expo from just a handful of foreign participants to hundreds from nearly 90 countries. He attributed this success both to targeted MSME and ODOP schemes—which have extended international recognition to local crafts like Bhadohi carpets, Moradabad brass, and Varanasi silk—and to industry resilience.
He highlighted the significant impact of these programs, pointing to UP’s export milestone of over ₹2 lakh crore, a feat few thought possible when the ODOP initiative began. Today, the carpet industry is recognised not just as a trade but as a vibrant tradition, supporting employment for an estimated 25–30 lakh people and generating ₹17,000 crore annually in exports.
A Bulldozer Motif Created on Carpet
At the fair, a carpet with a bulldozer motif was dedicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Women artisans crafted beautiful designs for the carpets, and the creation of the bulldozer motif was praised by attendees. The International Carpet Fair aims not only for exports worth five thousand crore rupees but also connects the future of over 150,000 weavers and artisans.
