EPCH committed to organize IHGF in May, 2021 to revive handicrafts exports
NEW DELHI, 3rd April 2021: The 51st IHGF Delhi fair which was scheduled to be held from 19th – 23rd May at India Expo Centre and Mart at Greater Noida has been restructured to meet the current COVID spread. The organiser, EPCH, has reaffirmed its stand to hold the 51st IHGF Delhi fair to provide “ease of doing business” to the small and medium exporters who have been adversely affected during the current pandemic.
Ravi K. Passi, Chairman-EPCH, informed that the restructured fair will be held in the permanent mart area of the India Expo Centre and Mart and would enable availability of the entire Mart area to the exhibitors who are keen to participate in the fair.
He further added, it is important to note that the lockdown in countries like Germany, France, UK, Denmark, Poland, Portugal and others have been extended hence may affect the overall footfall in the show. However, 70% of India’s exports of handicrafts is to the markets like USA, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and others where the situation seems to be better off than the rest of the world. EPCH has so far received confirmation from over 500 overseas buyers who wish to visit the fair and also their representatives/liaison offices in India.
There is a very huge segment of Indian retail as well as ecommerce portal business which over the years has also been targeted by exporters and they too are ready to visit the show for sourcing from exhibitors.
There are over 11,000 exporters who are registered with the council and providing livelihood to over 7 million artisans from across the country, said Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General-EPCH.
The estimated figures for exports of handicrafts for the period April-February of the current financial year 2020-21 stands at Rs. 22774.58 crores (USD 3062.76 million) registering a negative growth of (-)3.40 % (Rupee terms) and (-)8.31% (dollar terms) over the same period last year. Dr. Kumar is of the view that the forthcoming IHGF Delhi Fair in May, 2021 will help to curb the declining trend in the export growth.
The meeting was attended by Ravi K. Passi, Chairman-EPCH, R.K. Malhotra, Vice-Chairman-EPCH, Kamal Soni, Vice-Chairman –EPCH and members of the Committee of Administration and Regional Coordinators from across the country, informed Dr. Rakesh Kumar.
