New Delhi/NCR – 10th February 2024: The 57th edition of IHGF-DELHI FAIR– SPRING 2024 being held from 6th to 10th February 2024 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida Expressway, concluded with a Valedictory Ceremony with Chief Guests Syed Zafar Islam, National Spokesperson, BJP and Tarun Rathi, Vice President, Film Development Council Government of Uttar Pradesh. They launched the new and futuristic Logo of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, its Brand Book as well as its ‘Design Connect’, amidst exhibitors, overseas and domestic volume buyers as well as members of press and media. They also gave away the awards for Best Display at the IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2024 in 10 product categories. On this occasion, a cheque for Rs. 5 lacs was handed over to M/s Saharanpur Artisan Welfare Trust under EPCH’s CSR initiative. Mr. Irfan ul Haq, President of M/s Saharanpur Woodcarving Manufacturers Association, accepted the cheque.
Present on the momentous occasion were dignitaries like, Rajiv Sharma, Vice President Laghu Udyog Bharati, Lucknow; Tajinder Bagga, National Secretary, BJP YUVA Morcha; Anil Agarwal , Addl. DGFT; Mr. Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH; Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML; Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman II, EPCH; Smt. Priya Agarwal, Fair President, IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2024; Committee of Administration Members, EPCH; and Mr. R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.
In his address, Syed Zafar Islam, National Spokesperson, BJP, congratulated EPCH for the well-coordinated fair. He applauded Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML and Team IHGF Delhi Fair for a world class venue as well as for organising a fair of such composition and magnitude. Noting the diverse range of products exhibited, he emphasised the significance of such platforms for artisans. Zafar Islam recounted his meeting with Dr. Rakesh Kumar, in Moradabad and commended his consistent dedication towards India’s economic growth through the medium of the handicrafts sector, since then. Reflecting on the surge in exports in 2020, Mr. Islam credited the collective efforts of exporters, buyers, artisans and EPCH. He congratulated. the awardees and hailed the strengths of the industry’s capable and highly skilled artisans and craftsmen, supported by entrepreneurs and manufacturer exporters that present India in the right light today. He further congratulated EPCH for initiating ‘Design Connect’ which is of utmost significance for introduction of new products into the market. Zafar Islam also pledged a donation of Rs. one lakh fifty-one thousand to the Saharanpur Artisans Welfare Trust, acknowledging the challenges faced by artisans.
Tarun Rathi, Vice President of the Film Development Council, Government of Uttar Pradesh, lauded the unified and cooperative endeavours that led to the stature and success of the fair over successive editions. He commended the pivotal roles played by EPCH’s leadership and the team of 3000 exhibitors in this edition, which garnered attention from 5000 overseas buyers. Mr. Rathi also expressed admiration for Dr. Rakesh Kumar’s unwavering dedication to promoting the Prime Minister’s ‘local for global message and bolstering India’s economic stature by nurturing a sector that involves all facets of the value chain, right down to the artisans and craftspeople.
Speaking about EPCH’s new Logo, Mr. Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH said, “Reiterating our ambitious target of achieving 3 times the handicrafts exports from the present level by 2030 i.e. ‘Teen Guna Tees Tak’, this new Logo encapsulates EPCH’s commitment to innovation, collaboration and adaptability as well as the confidence that it will resonate with the changing landscape of the industry and reinforce India’s position on the global stage. This manifests our renewed aspiration of seeing India as the world’s core for handcrafted products and EPCH’s initiatives in place for making it possible. We aim to become a global powerhouse and this new logo is an inspiration to fire that ambition. As we move forward, the new logo symbolises our journey of evolution and growth, and ‘Design Connect’ shows our commitment to supporting our members in every facet of their export endeavours.”
Addressing the audience at the Valedictory Ceremony Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Chairman, IEML, highlighted the importance of social initiatives and the unveiling of EPCH’s new logo. He expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Government of India for their efforts towards realizing the 5 trillion economy vision. Emphasizing the significance of the handicrafts industry after agriculture in India, Dr. Kumar stressed on increasing exports to align with global currency values. He further added, “We have been humbled by the visits of several dignitaries to the IHGF Delhi Fair and to the India Expo Centre & Mart. Their observations on the growth and achievement of the sector through these landmarks reassure us and inspire us to better our best at the same time. Over the last many years, a large number of buyers and sellers have been dependent on IHGF Delhi Fair for procurement and supply of products that vibe well with consumers across world markets and are readily sellable. Through efforts in the right direction, we seek to increase this community and add to our sector’s global outreach.”
Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman II, EPCH, “Patronized by the international sourcing community, the globally acclaimed IHGF Delhi Fair with its 3000 exhibitors, curated displays and a host of supporting events, concluded its 57th edition. Our buyers have been happy to see that we share the global concern towards saving the environment. They have liked contemporary and stylish crafts, home decoratives, furniture & furnishings, artisanal textiles, dry flowers & potpourri, natural fiber products, handcrafted fashion jewellery & accessories, etc., on display by our exhibitors and all confirming to prevalent and upcoming trends in international markets because of which they are in high demand. “”
Mrs Priya Agarwal, Fair President, IHGF Delhi Fair–Spring 2024 added, “approximately 5675 buyers and buying representatives from around 112 countries visited the fair that resulted in business enquiries worth Rs. 2300 crores. Buying representatives from companies/ departmental stores from TJX Companies, Bedding Craft, Crane, Hobby lobby, USA; Musashino Art University, Japan; SeaDream Yacht Club, Norway; YAYA, The Netherlands; Fashmina, Brazil; Inditime, France; Jolipa BV, Belgium; Range Overseas, UAE; Discover Aisa, Spain; My Doris, Rural Handmade, U.K.; Princess Taghrid Institute, Jordan and many more visited the fair. Supporting events at the fair, like knowledge seminars on various topics related to the sector, ramp presentations and facilities at the fair, made the experience wholesome for both exhibitors and buyers.”
Sharing about the newly launched ‘EPCH Design Connect’, Mr. R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH said, “this is a well-researched initiative to connect Indian exporters with global design talent and vice versa. This distinctive online platform seeks to transform handicraft exports by enabling manufacturers to invest in skilled design interventions. Its goal is to help modernize product lines, making them more relevant to a wider market. EPCH has already signed up India’s premier design institutes like National Institute of Design; MIT Institute of Design; World University of Design; Atlas Skilltech University; and Cumulus Association, as academic partners in this endeavour.”
The Ajai Shankar and P N Suri Memorial Awards for Best Design Display were given in the 10 product categories including Lamps, Lighting, and Accessories; Home Textiles, Furnishings, and Floor Coverings; Fashion Jewellery and Accessories; Decorative Gifts including Corporate Gifts; Bathroom Accessories; Candle, Incense Sticks, Potpourri, Medication & Aromatics; Handmade Paper, Gift Wraps & Ribbon including Soft Toys; Sustainable Products; Houseware, Table & Decorative Products; Furniture, Furniture Hardware & Home Accessories. Complete list of awardees is appended below. (LIST ENCLOSED)
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts is a nodal agency for promotion of exports of handicrafts from the Country and create brand image of magic of the gifted hands of millions of artisans and crafts persons engaged in production of home, lifestyle, textiles, furniture and fashion jewellery & accessories products in different craft clusters of the Country. The overall Handicrafts exports during the year 2022-23 was Rs. 30,019.24 Crores (US $ 3,728.47 Million), as informed by Mr. R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.
