UP Minister Nand Gopal ‘Nandi’ visits IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2025

Delhi/NCR – 14th October 2025 – Nand Gopal ‘Nandi’, Cabinet Minister for Industrial Development, Export Promotion, NRI and Investment Promotion, Government of Uttar Pradesh, visited the ongoing IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2025, being held at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. He toured the exhibits, engaging with the exhibitors and praised the sector’s dynamism and competitive spirit, which are evidently reflected in the event. He was received by Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH and Chairman, IEML; Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH; Avdesh Agarwal, Chief Convenor, EPCH; Rajat Asthana, President, IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2025; Vice Presidents, IHGF Delhi Fair- Autumn 2025 – Simrandeep Singh Kohli, Rohit Dhall; and R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.

Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH shared, “The second day of IHGF Delhi Fair – Autumn 2025 witnessed strong buyer traffic from many countries, particularly European nations, keeping the business hours busy as they thronged the exhibitor stalls. They have appreciated the new ranges and some have already finalised orders. The theme look for this milestone edition has been well noticed and our fair facilities have been taken note of. Many first time buyers have said the IHGF Delhi Fair is to be experienced first-hand to know it and the vibrant handicrafts industry it represents.”

Hans Holterman from Netherlands, visiting the fair for the fifth time in a row, shared that he is keen to source furniture from India. He is finalising orders already. He also appreciated the new look and enhanced buyer services at the fair. Lopez Mariane, a buyer from France is here for decoratives with intricate Indian craftsmanship. She calls the fair energetic, full of life and looks beautifully decorated. Samson, a regular buyer from South Korea, shared that he visits India because he loves the quality and design of products here. This time, he is here specifically to source brass and aluminium items home lifestyle.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General, in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH and Chairman-IEML, shared about how regular buyers have associated with the Indian handicrafts trade through this fair. “Some of our buyers are appreciating quality and variety while some admire how Indian businesses conduct themselves. Just like the fair, the handicraft sector has grown from strength to strength with inclusivity as well as advancements in all aspects like, design, production, marketing and technology. Many of our patrons doing business in India since years have first-hand experiences of witnessing major progress in the sophistication of Indian vendors. They say, the quality and variety of Indian products have increased over the decade as makers of the products take significant care of the whole process from manufacturing till exporting.”

Speaking about visit of dignitaries to the fair, Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH said, “Today was also significant with the visit of Alok Kumar Additional Chief Secretary, Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises and Export Promotion, Government of Uttar Pradesh/Export Commissioner, IDC and Ms. Medha Roopam, IAS District Magistrate Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida)”. Mehta further added that exhibitors who have been participating in the IHGF Delhi Fair consistently were felicitated today as Pioneers of Handicraft Sector, acknowledging their long-standing association with the show.

Present at this felicitation ceremony were, Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH and Chairman, IEML; Avdesh Agarwal, Chief Convenor, EPCH; Former Chairman and COA Member, EPCH-Raj K Malhotra, Ravi K Passi, Naved ur Rehman and R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH. The felicitated are Ms. Simran, M/s Century Exports Inc, Moradabad; Gagan Duggal, M/s Duggal Sons, Moradabad; Satish Dhir, M/s Highland Exports, Moradabad; Ikram Ul Haq, M/s Haq Brothers, Moradabad; Vinay Gulati, M/s Gulati Exports, Moradabad; Vikas Arora, M/s Guildart, Moradabad and Anuj Garg, M/s Garg Sons Exports, Moradabad.

Rajat Asthana, President, IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2025, informed, “More of such seminars and discussions are planned for the coming days. They are designed to guide exporters and businesses on various aspects of growth and tech backed innovation.”

Avdesh Agarwal, Chief Convenor, EPCH, informed that supporting knowledge sessions have begun today with an engaging Panel Discussion on Beyond Seasons: Trends for Next Generation that is technologically very relevant in today’s fast changing times. “Eminent industry experts with significant experience and practical exposure in their fields were part of the session and held a captive audience. The interactions explored the use of AI for trend sensing, rapid varianting, material evaluation and demand forecasting to minimise risk.

R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH said, “The regional displays and live craft demonstrations at the fair uplift the visitors’ mood in the fair complex’s central area. Here, artisans, designers and entrepreneurs with their expertise in locally sourced raw material and tradition backed skills, have showcased their assortments, hopeful of attention by the international audience. They have been noticed well and some of them have networked with buyers for the way ahead.”