GI Fair India’s 2nd Edition Empowers Producers and Artisans on Curated Trade Platform, Concludes Successfully

Greater Noida/ Delhi NCR– 24th July 2023 – The 2nd edition of GI Fair India concluded after five days of a vibrant showcase, live craft demonstrations, food, plenty of experiences and most significantly, increase in patrons. A grand showcase of unique, authentic and original products directly from the makers and manufacturers has been greeted visitors at the GI Fair India, at the India Expo Centre & Mart till 24th July 2023.

R. K. Verma Executive Director – EPCH informed that the show ended with the cumulative footfall of over 10,000 visitors including over 110 overseas buyers from 30 Countries and over 300 overseas buying representatives & domestic volume buyers. The fair generated business enquiries worth Rs.14.5 crores.

The GI Fair India closed with a Valedictory Function graced by Dr. Rajani Kant (Padamshri), Executive Director, Human Welfare Association, Varanasi as Chief Guest.

Speaking on the occasion Dileep Baid, Chairman – EPCH said the biggest representation of almost all GI products of India, GI Fair India in its second edition now, featured 400+ GI tagged products spanning across sectors like agricultural produce, manufactured goods, food stuffs, handlooms and handicrafts with an ambition to take these Indian processes, indigenous products and outstanding masterpieces to the world markets. The fair was visited by overseas buyers, domestic volume buyers and general public alike as a unique opportunity to see, experience and source or shop the original and the inimitable – direct from the original source. They have made connections, enquired, shopped extensively, indulged thoroughly and sampled. Many already look forward to the next edition. Among business visitors, Natalia Cardielo, an international trader from Spain for all kinds of consumer products said, “I just came here to browse and I’ve already come to love India’s wooden work art pieces. I also bought eatables like banana chips, authentic cashews and spices like cardamom from South India. The jewellery is also very unique and exquisite.” In business since 2016, this is her 5th visit to India for personal favourites like textiles and tea. Grace Muiruri, a Kenya based global B2B advisor since 15 years Kenya is here to forge alliance to source antiques, authentics and textiles for exclusive hotels and such establishments. Su from Vietnam finds many similarities between India and Vietnam. She shared her amazement at the captivating display, hard goods and fabrics. Naveen from Farmsmojo, a Kerala based company that connects agricultural produce from farmers across India to consumers is here to look for suppliers/prospective partners dealing in organic spices, ingredients, nuts, food products and even handicrafts. Presence of GI tagged producers under one roof makes it convenient for him.
Most of the GI tagged products have long history and tradition linked to them and are prepared using the materials and processes that make them so special and famed. GI products are the hallmark of being sustainable and environmentally friendly. For most products, processes are handmade, dyes are natural, while foods are chemical free – being mostly organic.

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH & Chairman – IEML informed that the recently tagged favourites are the legendary Aligarh locks, Amroha’s dholak synonymous with weddings & festivities, geometrically patterned Baghpat home furnishing, Barabanki handlooms with prominent check patterns, Mainpuri Tarkashi of elegant wire inlay in wood, Nagina wood craft with its intricate flowing motifs carved on Ebony and Sheesham, the mystical Banda Shazar Patthar Craft that naturally contains miniature foliage within as a result of bygone volcanic activity and many others. Among exhibits that are in the process of getting GI tagged but are getting their due in terms of visitor attention are curcumin rich Basmat haldi from Maharashtra that is also used as an organic textile dye; and the famous shimmery Hyderabad lac bangles one braves the busy streets of Laad Bazaar for.

A Panel Discussion on ‘GI tagged Handicrafts an effective tool for promotion of Traditional Products’ held during the fair with eminent speakers and domain experts offered insights on Major challenges in GI registration of products; Future outlook for GI registration; Ways to promote GI tagged products; Quality assurance mechanism in GI products; Online platforms for promotion of GI products; Key elements of strategy for online marketing of GI products. The attendees also learnt about the ease of GI registrations, support offered and benefits of the GI tag to business as well as livelihood to stakeholders and workforce connected with these products, further informed Verma.

An Award ceremony to felicitate individuals and organizations of eminence and participants with exemplary display was held today. The Chief Guest Dr. Rajani Kant (Padamshri), gave away the Awards. The Institutional Awards went to Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA); Spice Board of India; Tea Board of India; Industries Department, Govt. of Assam; MSME Department, Govt. of Odisha; Jammu & Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation (JKTPO); Uttarakhand Handloom And Handicrafts Development Corporation (UHHDC); Uttarakhand Organic Commodities Board, Govt. of Uttarakhand; Goa State Council For Science & Technology; Department For Promotion of Industry And Internal Trade (DPIIT); Geographical Indications Registry Department, Controller General of PDTM; Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA); Indian Food Tourism Organisation, informed R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.