Moradabad Design and Consultancy Pvt Ltd., under sponsorship from DC Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles, , celebrated its 1st Annual Buyer Seller Meet at Radisson Hotel Noida with the announcement of International Design Centre being built in Moradabad. The buyer- seller meet saw an exhibit of high design metal products such as flower vase, wall décor, indoor outdoor standing lantern, candle stand, which MDCPL designers helped metal craftsman create. The main objective of design centre is to provide support to small scale handicraft industry through long term planning and creation of supportive facilities within the centre including a fully equipped training centre with competent, properly trained staff able to teach all aspects of newer and innovative designs. The Centre would aim to support handicrafts of Moradabad such as art metalware, EPNS, wooden handicrafts, glassware, etc. Mr. Peter Schauben, Director / Board Member, MDCPL, elaborating on the announcement of starting International Design Centre, said, “Artisans in India have vast talent, but talent gets un channelized because of lack of direction. MDCPL is helping provide direction to artisans with design help and forward integration. A design center is being built in city of Moradabad to help metal artisans of the city” Further enlightening on the initiative, Mr. Arun Aggarwal, Managing Director, and MDCPL, said “The proposed programme is expected to support the up-gradation of infrastructural facilities coupled with market linkages and product diversification”. With an investment of Rs. 40cr for the MDCPL, the declining handicraft industry in the country is here to stay and it is encouraging to see the government’s involvement with such entrepreneurs.