Delhi Fair Autumn 2017 Culminates with 3150 Crores of Business, Ajay Shankar Memorial Awards Distributed
TENNEWS GREATER NOIDA
                 44th  EDITION OF IHGF – DELHI FAIR AUTUMN 2017 SIGNS OFF WITH BUSINESS ENQUIRIES WORTH RS. 3150 CRORESÂ
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The 44th  edition of IHGF DELHI FAIR AUTUMN 2017 concluded today at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida contributing significantly both to the exports of handicrafts as well as the promotion of crafts from across India.
The Fair is held twice a year and this year the Autumn Edition of the Fair has surpassed previous Fairs in all respects. The fair is organised by EPCH – Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.
The display of recycled products such as used containers duly designed as decorative were the centre of attraction all around the venue. This year look of the fair has totally changed from façade to constructing a theme like ceremony area which added a fresh energy in the show.
Ajay Tamta, Hon’ble Mister of State for Textiles, Ministry of Textiles gave away the prestigious Ajay Shankar Memorial Awards for the best designed and displayed stands in six product categories such  as Furniture, Furniture Hardware and home accessories, Fashion Jewllery & Accessories, Lamp Lighting and Accessories, Home, Textile, furnishing and Floor Coverings, Christmas Decorative and Festive décor, Houseware, table, kitchenware and hotelware. Three awards were given in each category i.e. Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Speaking on the occasion the Hon’ble Minister said that this fair has attained popularity amongst overseas buyers as mega show for home, lifestyle, fashion, textiles and furniture products under one roof and marketing platform for Indian exporters. Handicrafts sector requires low capital and provide high value addition and largest employment provider sector in the Country. He appreciated EPCH for organising various informative activities during the show and also for providing marketing platform to products of North Eastern Region, Jodhpur mega cluster and Telengana state.
Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH said Last year the number of countries from where the buyers visited the show were 88 and this year it has witnessed over 100 countries from where the buyers have visited.
He further elaborated that the number of exhibitors increased this year to around 3000.  With 14 product categories,  Autumn edition of IHGF-Delhi fair inspired and enthused the exhibitors with visit of large number of buyers to source home, lifestyle, fashion, textiles and furniture +2000 products. The business energy at the fair was stimulating as the buyers seen negotiating and placing orders in every product category during five days extravaganza.
Overseas buyers’ and their Representatives participation increased from 5586 last year to 5995 this year representing a healthy increase of  7.32% supported by 765 domestic trade visitors, the Fair generated business enquiries  to the tune  Rs 3150 crores this year representing an increase of around 6.78% over the last year.
The Handicrafts exports during the year 2016-17 was Rs.24,392.39 crores with overall 13.15% increase in comparison to last year. However, the exports of handicrafts during six months of the current financial year 2017-18 is Rs. 12520.32. This Fair has become a major marketing platform to boost exports of small and medium entrepreneurs of the handicraft sector.
O.P. Prahladka, Chairman – EPCH said that the buyers  visited maximum from USA (751 ), Germany ( 259), UK (295 ), Australia (275), France ( 282), Japan (194 ) and China ( 67).    This year new buyers also visited  from Jordan, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Hungry, Mongolia, Libya and Kenya.
