This year, the twin specialised trade shows of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the 35th India Garment Fair and 25th India Home Furnishing Fair at Mydome, Japan attracted unprecedented response from the participants. Covering an area of 4,843 sq m in six halls, as many as 145 Indian companies are taking part in the these fairs.
Addressing a press briefing in Tokyo, Meenakshi Singh, officer on special duty, ITPO, highlighted importance of these twin fairs especially in strengthening Indo-Japan bilateral trade relations. Dwelling upon salient features of these concurrent events, she pointed out that India and Japan have a long history of exchanges in textile sector. She said that the India Home Furnishing Fair assumes special significance as it would be a silver jubilee edition which would be organised with several mega attraction comprising get-to-gather with stake holders, designers, buyers and retailers, thematic display, live demonstrations by the award-winning craftsmen, display of organic garments. A wide range of product displayed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) and National Small Industries Corporation would also be an added attraction to visitors, she added.
The display profile at the India Garment Fair comprises: woven and knitted garments for women, men, kids, casual wear, high fashion garment, occasional wear, sportswear, winter garments, fashion accessories, shawls, stoles, scarves, belts, bags, fabrics, synthetic and rayon fabrics, handmade fibres and blends, cotton and woollen fabrics. India Home Furnishing Fair unveils a wide range of home furnishings and made-ups, cushion covers, floor mats, curtain and embellishments ,bed linen, covers, spreads, table linen, kitchen linen, bathroom linen, napkins, durries, rugs interior fabrics, handloom clothing textile-based handicrafts and other allied products.
Significantly, these twin shows shall have many new features that would facilitate visitor-friendly business transactions. These include free entry for business visitors/buyers by online registration, business information centre & buyers’ lounge, interpreter services, thematic displays, cyber café and Wi-Fi connectivity. Over 40 per cent exhibitors are first timers to the fair.
The last edition of these twin events in July 2013 recorded business worth US $ 36.67 million and attracted 2,149 trade visitors including importers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers.