EPCH & ExpoBazaar Together Unveil B2B Cash & Carry Centre in Moradabad, U.P

Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh | January 9, 2026: In a decisive step towards redefining India’s handicrafts sourcing ecosystem, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) in collaboration with ExpoBazaar, a cross-border e-commerce vertical of India Exposition Mart limited, successfully inaugurated a state-of-the-art Cash & Carry Centre at EPCH Resource Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. The initiative is new chapter in organised trade, offering streamlined access, transparency and structured sourcing for India’s vibrant handicrafts, home and lifestyle products industry.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Kapil Dev Aggarwal, Minister of State for Skill Development and Vocational Education (Independent Charge), Government of Uttar Pradesh, as the ‘Chief Guest’ alongwith ‘Guest of Honour’ Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH & Chairman, IEML and Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH. The ceremony also saw presence of Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH; Avdesh Agarwal, Chief Convenor, EPCH; Members of Committee of Administration, EPCH: Raj Kumar Malhotra, Ravi K Passi, Prince Malik, Varun Sharma, Salman Azam, Zeeshan Ali, Naved Ur Rehman, Rohit Dhall, Simrandeep Singh Kohli, Ms. Rashim Duggal, Mohd Junaid, Najmul Islam, Patron, Moradabad Handicrafts Exporters Association; Rajesh Rawat, Executive Director, EPCH; member exporters, artisans, press and media.

Addressing the august gathering Kapil Dev Aggarwal, Minister of State for Skill Development and Vocational Education (Independent Charge), Government of Uttar Pradesh commended EPCH and ExpoBazaar for creating a forward looking platform that directly supports exporters, artisans and young entrepreneurs in a city globally known as the “Metal Craft City of India”. Minister congratulated EPCH Moradabad Resource Centre for being declared as ‘Centre of Excellence’ (CoE) for skilling in metal craft, recognizing our commitment towards artisan training, design innovation and market-led skill development programs and also gave skill training certificates to artisans who had successfully completed specialized training in contemporary metal craft techniques.

The Minister also commended Dr. Rakesh Kumar’s tireless efforts in elevating Indian handicrafts to new heights through visionary infrastructure, technology integration and market expansion initiatives that have transformed traditional clusters into globally competitive hubs. He urged all exporters present to share their field experience, market insights and practical knowledge with these trained artisans, emphasizing that such knowledge transfer would further strengthen Moradabad’s handicraft ecosystem and enhance the global competitiveness of local craftsmanship.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Chairman, EPCH shared that “the Cash & Carry Centre in Moradabad is part of EPCH’s broader vision to enhance ease of doing business and promote design-led, market-responsive growth in the handicrafts sector. The Cash & Carry Centre at Moradabad is designed as a one-stop sourcing destination which brings together a thoughtfully curated range of handicrafts, home décor, furnishings, giftware, lifestyle accessories, utility products and contemporary craft-led offerings”.

“All products showcased at the Centre are sourced exclusively from Indian handicrafts manufacturer-exporters, crafts enterprises and established craft clusters from Moradabad, Noida, Agra, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Haryana, Delhi, Bhadohi, Sambhal etc ranging from accent furniture, home décor, jewellery, marble décor, rugs and carpets, textiles, kitchen accessories, and lamp lighting and many more products to include further. This diverse curation ensures authenticity, ethical sourcing and quality assurance while celebrating the country’s diverse regional traditions, materials and artisanal techniques. The Centre seamlessly bridges traditional craftsmanship with modern retail and sourcing requirements. It creates a direct and meaningful link between artisans and the domestic as well as international trade fraternity, supporting sustainable livelihoods while aligning with evolving global market expectations”. Dr. Khanna added further

Echoing the sentiments, Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH & Chairman, IEML said that “the opening of state-of-the-art Cash & Carry Centre in Moradabad and associated facilities marks an important milestone in our efforts to modernize the handicrafts ecosystem”.

He emphasized, ‘Aap product do, main product market dunga’ – ‘you provide the product, I will provide you the market through Expo Bazaar’. The initiative blends tradition with technology, strengthens infrastructure at the cluster level and supports market diversification by creating an organised platform that connects artisans and exporters directly with a wide spectrum of buyers”.

Dr. Kumar further highlighted that the initiative will be integrated with warehousing, fulfillment, and just-in-time delivery mechanisms, enabling faster market access for Indian handicrafts in both domestic and international markets, and laying the foundation for a modern, efficient, and sustainable export value chain.

Dr. Kumar further added that “Adding a future-forward dimension, the Centre will also house a Design Studio supported by 3D printing facilities, aimed at nurturing young entrepreneurs, start-ups and first-generation business owners. This initiative will enable exposure to diversified product categories, global design trends, quality benchmarks, packaging norms, and buyer expectations encouraging innovation and informed decision-making within the handicraft’s ecosystem.”

Sharing his view, Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH, said that “The Cash & Carry Centre is tailored to serve a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including retailers, wholesalers, domestic and international buyers, institutional buyers, interior designers, hospitality buyers, sourcing agents, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs. With a professionally managed buying and selling environment, the Centre ensures consistent product availability, transparent pricing, and a reliable supply chain under one roof”.

Avdesh Aggarwal, Chief Convenor, EPCH, said that “strategically located in Moradabad, globally renowned for its metal handicrafts and artisanal excellence, the Cash & Carry Centre further cements the city’s position as a key domestic and international sourcing destination. Operating on a Cash & Carry model, the Centre enables buyers to select, purchase, and carry products instantly, making it an efficient wholesale-oriented platform that combines immediacy with scale. By offering ready stock, transparent pricing and direct access to Indian manufacturers, the EPCH–ExpoBazaar Cash & Carry Centre is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s organised handicrafts trade, empowering both creators and commerce alike.

Rohit Dhall, Member of the Committee of Administration and Najmul Islam, Patron, Moradabad Handicraft Exporters Association, also shared their views on the occasion.

Rajesh Rawat, Executive Director, EPCH said, “The Centre is designed to offer a wholesome experience to every visitor, bringing together cash and carry sourcing with 3D Design Studio and a vibrant cafeteria ‘Beans & Brew Co.’ under one roof. Now visitors can source products instantly, innovate designs with cutting-edge technology support and build partnerships over coffee, all within this single dynamic ecosystem.”