Gujarat kite makers to see 2.5 per cent growth this fiscal: Official

“With the growing popularity of International Kite Festival in Gujarat, the kite making industry is also growing steadily. However, this financial year we expect the kite making industry to generate Rs 625 crore to Rs 630 crore, a growth of just 2.5 per cent against last year,” Gujarat Tourism’s principal secretary SJ Haider said. 

The kite making industry witnessed a 7.5 per cent revenue growth of Rs 615 crore in 2016-17, compared to Rs 572 crore in FY16. Haider said the marginal slowdown in revenue growth can be attributed to the implementation of the GST which has made it difficult for the industry, which is mostly unorganised. 

The 29th International Kite Festival in the state opened for visitors from today and will go on till January 14 here. This year 535 kite fliers are participating, including 96 from 18 different states, 149 from 44 countries.