In Andhra Pradesh, Handicrafts sector plays an important role in its economy as it provides employment to a vast segment of craft persons in rural and semi-urban areas, and also generates substantial growth in State Economy.&nbsp;<br />”&nbsp;<br />”A.P. Handicraft Development Corporation was established with the main objective of Development, Promotion &amp; Marketing of Handicrafts produced in the state. While preserving the cultural heritage of the State around 2,00,000 handicraft artisans working in this sector are benefitted through different welfare, marketing activities undertaken by the Corporation.<br />”&nbsp;<br />”The marketing activity is taken care of through its 17 sales showrooms functioning within Andhra Pradesh as well as three showrooms at Kolkata, New Delhi &amp; Nandagiri Hills (Hyderabad).<br />”&nbsp;<br />”AIR correspondent reports that the renovation of Vijayawada Lepakshi Showroom has been completed for its inauguration on 19th November by Mekapati Goutham Reddy, AP Minister for Industries, Commerce, Information Technology, Skill Development &amp; Training, Infrastructure and Investments, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh.<br />”&nbsp;<br />”The Showrooms market the prominent Andhra State products ranging from Wood Carvings&nbsp; and Kalamkari Paintings from Chittoor District; Stone carving from Durgi, Guntur District; Brass items from Budithi ,and Adivasi painting of&nbsp; Seethampeta -Srikakulam Dist; Wooden Cutlery, Udayagiri, Nellore Dist; Bobbili Veena, Bobbili, Vizianagaram Dist;, Dolls and Toys from Etikoppaka, Visakhapatnam Dist district.&nbsp; Kondapally toys and Kalamkari Block Prints from Pedana and&nbsp; Mangalagiri Handlooms, Krishna Dist. etc.<br />”&nbsp;<br />”The Corporation also undertakes various Developmental activities like conducting Exhibitions / Craft Bazaars, Training, Design Work Shops and Skill up-gradation training programmes, Common facility centres for selected crafts, Geographical Indication of A.P. Crafts, Raw Material Bank, Welfare Schemes, Awards of Excellence, Publicity of A.P. Crafts, Extension of Old Age Pensions to artisans etc. The Corporation also enables product diversification in various crafts as per market demand through design workshops.<br />”&nbsp;<br />”The Corporation conducts Skill Development Programmes to improve the Skill levels and increase the artisans creative potential with its own funds, and also funded by State/Central Governments. Lepakshi also participates in the International Marketing events sponsored by Govt. of India with a view to explore the Export Markets &amp; to improve and popularize the market base and brand image of Andhra Handicrafts.<br />”&nbsp;<br />”LEPAKSHI SHOWROOM is an attraction to tourists visiting the state from different places across the country and abroad.&nbsp;<br />