NEW DELHI – 1st June, 2020 – On the 1st day of Unlock 1 after long lockdown, a history has been created in EPCH as the first virtual fair on Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories show was inaugurated today. More than 200 member exporters dealing in fashion jewellery & accessories products are taking part in this first virtual fair and over 1000 overseas buyers and their representatives have registered for the show.
An opening ceremony also held virtually during which Shri Ravi K. Passi, Chairman – EPCH, Mr. Vineet Bhatia, President of the fair, Ms. Nupur Batra , Vice President, IFJAS, Ms. Christian Rai, President, Buying Agents Association, Shri Pramod Nagpal, Chief General Manager – CCI&E, Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH and Mr. R.K. Verma, Executive Director – EPCH were present.
While Inaugurating the fair, Shri Ravi K. Passi, Chairman – EPCH said, the current Covid 2019 crisis has led us to think out of box as physical fair could not be organised thus enabling us to create a platform in the form of virtual fair in which exporters of fashion jewellery and accessories are participating. The show is going to have fashion shows, webinars and craft demonstrations by the artisans as well.
Shri Vinit Bhatia, President of IFJAS while declaring opening the virtual fair said that in difficult times, EPCH created an opportunity in the form of virtual fair for the fashion jewellery & accessories manufacturers as going virtual is the only way to go forward. It will not only provide business to the exporters but also provide livelihood to the artisans. He urged the overseas buyers, buying agents and volume buyers to come and source from the first virtual fair IFJAS.
While thanking all dignitaries Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH said, it is a historic moment in the history of EPCH as the 1st virtual fair on Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories show has finally seen the light of the day. This Covid crisis has given us an opportunity to explore possibilities in virtual eco system. He added, it took him down memory lane when the first fair of Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair started in 1994 in one hall at Pragati Maidan the same feeling of accomplishment is being felt today at the opening of this fair.
Shri Kumar further thanked the member exporters who have shown faith in capabilities of EPCH for organizing virtual fair which was the need of the hour because organsing activities virtually is going to remain the trend for next 1 year till the pandemic of Covid 2019 is over of subsides. The fair has got good response from both exhibitors as well as overseas buyers with over 400 buyers visiting the fair along the buying representatives on the 1st day of the show.
Ms. Christian Rai, President, Buying Agents Association speaking on the occasion said that since buyers cannot travel, it is a great opportunity to stay in touch with them as well as to do business in this difficult time. Going virtual is the only way to survive in the longer run.
Ms. Nupur Batra, Vice President of the fair during inauguration said that buyers can source the products of their choice by sitting in safe confines of their houses.
EPCH is an apex organization for promotion of exports of handicrafts from the Country and creating brand image of handcrafted products of home, lifestyle, textiles, fashion and furniture – magic of the gifted hands in the world markets.
