F.A.Q.


Q1. What is Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH)?

Ans. EPCH is a non-profit organization established under the EXIM policy of Government of India. It is a apex organization responsible for the development and promotion of exports of handicrafts from the country.


Q2. What are its functions?

Ans. Council is undertaking various programmes for development and promotion of the exports of handicrafts form the country by providing useful information and assistance its members in developing and increasing exports, providing professional advice to members in areas of technology upgradation, quality and design improvement, product development, market intelligence, participation in fairs and exhibitions and interaction between exporters community and Government.


Q3. How to obtain membership of the Council?

Ans. Any person willing to venture in to exports of handicrafts can become of the member of the Council. The prospective members are required to submit application as per the prescribed application from which can be obtained by paying Rs. 100/- in cash/demand draft drawn in favour of EPCH payable at New Delhi. The entrance in the year of enrollment is Rs. 1000/- and annual memberships fee is Rs. 2500/-.

Membership of the Council is a pre-condition for registration. The registration can be obtained either as a ‘Merchant Exporter’ or ‘Manufacturers Exporter’ as per documents submitted. While submitting application the category of obtaining membership is required to be mentioned.


The membership fees is due on 1st April of every year and is required to be paid by 13th June for renewable. While seeking renewable of membership the annual fee is Rs. 2500/-.


Q4. What are the required documents for registration as member of the Council?

Ans. Along with the filled in application form, a self-attested copy of Import Export Code (IEC) is required to be furnished. If the company is a partnership firm, the partnership deed will be required to be submitted along with the form. If the company is Pvt. Ltd. or Limited firm, a photocopy of certificate of incorporation (memorandum of Article of Association) and resolution deed regarding the signing authority has to be submitted. If an Export House applies for membership, the copy of export House Certificate is to be enclosed. Finally if a company is manufactures exporters, it must furnish letter from District Industries Centre (DIC) or the Authority with which the factory registered or the copy of Small Scale Industries(SSI) Certificate attested by the DIC on current date.


Q5. Is it necessary to get registered with the Council for export of handicrafts products?

Ans. No, it is not mandatory but for availing the Government incentives and assistance the registration is compulsory.

Q6. What are the benefits of becoming registered member of the Council?

Ans. The registered member of the Council can avail assistance in getting market intelligence, information pertaining to the trade and participations in exhibitions/fairs in India and abroad.


Q7. What services are offered to members?

Ans. Council invite registered member for participation in IHGF, overseas trade fairs, buyer seller meets, folk craft festivals organized abroad, product specific fairs, trade inquires and seminars/workshops, open house meets on various trade related issues etc.



  MARKETING DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE

1. What is MDA? Is it available for direct/domestic participation?

Ans. Marketing Development Assistance is to assist exporters for export promotion activities by participation in EPC led international Trade Fairs/Exhibitions/ trade delegations/BSMs abroad to explore new markets for export of their specific product(s) and commodities from India in the initial phase. It is not applicable for domestic exhibitions.

2. What are the criteria to avail MDA?

Ans. (a) Applicant should have 12 months complete Membership the Council on the day submission of MDA application.

(b) Exporting companies with an F.O.B. value of exports of upto Rs.15 crores in the preceding year will be eligible.

(c) Filing of returns with concerned EPC/Organisation regularly.


3. How many times we get MDA for a particular fair?

Ans. A maximum of three participations in a particular trade fair/exhibition would be eligible for MDA assistance and exporting companies after availing assistance three times including past cases for a particular fair / exhibition, have to participate in that Fair, if any, on self-finance basis.

4. How many times we can get MDA in General Area as well as in Focus Area in a Financial year?

OR

5. How many times we can get MDA in a financial year?

Ans. Maximum number of permissible participations shall be five in a financial year.

(Focus LAC-1, FOCUS AFRICA (including WANA Countries)-1, FOCUS AFRICA (including WANA Countries)-1, FOCUS ASEAN+2-1, General Areas-1)

OR

Handicrafts has been considered one of the priority sectors, and having large employment generation potential, therefore, applicants of EPC handicrafts would be admissible for 2 (two) participations in General Areas with the assistance of Rs.1,50,000/- for each participation. These exporters availing of assistance under this provision would, however, be in addition to these participations, eligible for only any two Focus Area participation

6. The exporter who have ‘Nil’ export performance can get this benefit?

Ans. Member having minimum export of Rs 5 lakh in previous year or cumulative export performance of Rs 15 Lakh in the preceding 3 years from the year in which MDA grant has been approved and Member having export below Rs.15 Crores are eligible for MDA grant. .

7. If the company is participating through ITPO/FIEO, what is criteria to get MDA?

Ans. As per Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI order vide letter No.2/1/2004-E&MDA(Part) dated 26-11-2007 FIEO and ITPO are eligible grantee organization for the purpose of reimbursement of MDA grant to the exporters who are also members of the other EPCs etc. and participating in the events organized/sponsored by FIEO/ITPO. However, for this purpose FIEO/ITPO will obtain a No Objection Certificate in the prescribed proforma from the concerned EPCs of which the exporters are members.


  INTERNATIONAL FAIRS


Q. If we are member of the Council, are we elligible to participate in International events organissed by the Council.

Ans. All member exporters of the Council's are eligible to participate in International events organised by the Council.

Q. Name of the countries / international events in which the Council is participanting ?

Ans. A list of Council's activities during the year are available at Council's website: www.epch.in/calendar.htm or send yoru querries over email to fairs@epch.com


Q. How many shows we can take part in every year ?

Ans. You can participate any number of activities during the year. But if you woul like to avail the MDA grant only two shows in general areas are permitted. You can check the conditions & criteria of MDA grant from Council's website: www.epch.in/mda.htm or send yoru querries over email to mda@epch.com


Q. What is the procedure and charges of the shows ?

Ans. It varries on activity to activity.

Q. What about the visa formalities ?

Ans. All participants have apply for visa at their own. Council can only provide you visa recommendation letter from Council and from the show organiser.

Q. If we are not getting the visa, can we get refund of participation charges?

Ans. In case of non-grant of Visa by the any of the Embassy, the participation deposited by the participants will be forefieted.