The 39th edition of the Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (Spring), 2015 organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) will be held at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida. About 2,524 exhibitors, including 900 permanent marts, drawn from all over India, spread over in 12 exhibition halls, shall be displaying their products exclusively designed for display during the fair.
The fair has established itself, over the last 19 years, as one of the most important sourcing event for the international buyers. It has also recognised as the most effective marketing medium by the Indian handicrafts manufacturers and exporters. The fair has helped the handicrafts sector in diversifying its product range and creating new markets worldwide. On an average, 4,000-5,000 buyers from more than 60 countries have been visiting this fair to source their requirements, informed Rakesh Kumar, executive director, EPCH.
The product range in display includes houseware, tableware, kitchenware, hotelware, home furnishing, home textiles, linens, festive décor, fashion jewellery, bags, scarves, ties, fashion compliments, luggage, leather bags and cases, furniture, carpets, rugs and floorings, bathroom accessories, spa and wellness, candles, incense, made ups, burners, potpourri and aromatics, stationery, handmade paper items and greeting cards, chandeliers, lamp shades, lantern sand sustainable products.
During the 39th edition of the IHGF, it is expected that more than 4,500 overseas business visitors including buyers, importers, departmental stores, chain stores, boutique owners, agents, distributors, fashion designers and interior decorators will be coming. The USA, UK, Japan, France, Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, China, Australia are expected to send buyers to this fair. However, buyers from latin American region particularly Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Chile, Central Asia, Africa and Middle East will also be sourcing their requirement at this fair. Two seminars titled ‘Opportunities and Export strategies for Handicrafts products in latin America & Caribbean Region’ and ‘Effective use of Digital Marketing and Online Promotion for Handicrafts Sector’ will be held on February 21 and 22 respectively.
lekhraj Maheshwari, chairman, EPCH, added that the fair is responsible for promotion and development of handicrafts products from India to various destinations in world. They have not only organised this fair twice a year but also held other specialised trade shows in India, besides participating in more than 25 trade shows worldwide. Handicrafts exports have been growing on an average growth rate of 15 per cent per annum during the last decade. The growth during the current year is expected to be around 31 per cent in rupees and 15 per cent in US dollars. The handicrafts during the year 2013-14 was Rs23,504.42 crore with 30.80 per cent growth. The IHGF is one of the important media for contributing to the growth in exports.