EFFECTIVENESS OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME IN HANDLOOM AND GEMS AND JEWELLERY SECTORS IN INDIA

Abstract

India is continuously experiencing trade deficit for many decades. It is trying hard to improve its exports. Government of India under the Ministry of Commerce has designed several export promotional measures to give thrust to the export various sectors. Market development assistance (MDA) is one such scheme designed by the government of India to give impetus in developing and promoting exports. This study try to examine how this scheme has helped in reaching the exporters and is it successful in helping them for finding new export markets, buyers, attending more exhibitions, trade fairs, opening new outlets, and increasing variety of products. Also, intend to understand the perception of MDA beneficiaries under handloom and gems & jewellery sectors. Primarily the study is focused on MDA and its impact on gems and jewellery, and handloom exports. The analysis of MDA beneficiaries has shown how both gems and jewellery, and handloom sectors are benefited by availing the MDA scheme. They state that, after availing the MDA, it has helped to improve their performance. They were benefited by attending exhibitions, trade fairs, buyer-seller meet and visiting number of listed countries. This has helped them to increase in sales, up-gradation, finding new markets and improved customer acceptance.