IHGF handicrafts spring 2017 fair to take place in Delhi

The fair organised by the Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts (EPCH) will be spread over an area of 1,97,000 square metres and host buyers from over 80 countries. Buying agents based in India and domestic retail volume buyers are also expected to visit the mega fair to source their requirements.

The increase in the exhibition space and in the number of exhibitors and visitors indicate how important this event is for India as well as for the international buying community. It also demonstrates that it is an indispensable event for overseas buyers for sourcing home, lifestyles, fashion and textiles products provided under one roof.

The world's largest show for home, lifestyle, fashion and textiles will bring comprehensive selections with a choice of over 2,000 products made out of different raw material bases such as wood, metal, cane and bamboo, textiles made of natural fibres, wool, silk, jute, coir, stone, leather, terracotta, lacquer and vegetable dyes.

One of the main highlights of the show will be a thematic display of products from North Eastern Region and Jodhpur Mega cluster. A theme pavilion on wooden handicrafts items produced from legally procured wood and certified under Vriksh – an indigenous Indian Timber Legality assessment and verification scheme, will also be set up to showcase the best of wooden handicrafts items. Informative seminars related to production techniques, skill development, GSP scheme, trends and forecast, discussion on Union Budget and the forthcoming GST would also be held.

"The IHGF- Delhi has not only enabled Indian exporters to participate in the show in large numbers and secure orders but has also enabled foreign buyers to source their requirements from India at one place, one time and under one roof. One of the most important roles played by the IHGF has been the increase in the foreign exchange earnings of the country, besides generating employment," said Rakesh Kumar, ED, EPCH.

"Despite the fact that US and Europe have been major buyers of India, the focus of EPCH is now on new emerging markets in hitherto unexplored and under-explored regions like Latin America, Central Asia (CIS), Africa and South East Asia," said Dinesh Kumar, chairman, EPCH.

The exports of handicrafts during April to December 2016 have registered a growth of 12.10 per cent in rupee terms and stands at Rs 17,937.05 crore. The growth in dollar terms is 8.25 per cent with exports of $2673.48 million. Kumar said that the export target for the year 2016-17 is $3600 million and the council hopes to achieve it. (KD)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India