Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles inaugurates IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2025

Delhi/NCR – 16th April 2025 – The 59th IHGF Delhi Fair, organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), from 16th to 19th April 2025 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida was inaugurated today by Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of Textiles, Govt. of India. He also visited the exhibition halls and interacted with the participants.

He expressed pride in being part of this globally acclaimed platform that celebrates India’s rich handicraft heritage and congratulated EPCH for transforming the fair into a premier sourcing destination, attracting global buyers, designers and industry leaders.

Addressing media persons at the fair, Giriraj Singh said, “Today, the world is embracing handicrafts and handcrafted products, valuing the skill, expertise, and labor that goes into each piece. Recently, at an expo, an American businessman assured us that demand for such products will remain strong, despite market fluctuations. India’s expertise in traditional crafts gives us a competitive edge, enabling us to thrive in 80% of the market, driven by our own strengths and capabilities.”

Emphasizing the global shift towards sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing, the Minister noted that India is well-positioned to offer innovative and ethically crafted solutions. In view of recent global trade developments, he acknowledged the impact of increased U.S. tariffs on Indian exports and assured that the government is actively engaging in bilateral discussions and policy measures to protect the interests of exporters. He also urged exporters to diversify markets, explore FTAs and expand product lines to maintain momentum. Singh highlighted the government’s continued support for the handicrafts sector through infrastructure development, financial aid, design innovation and digital outreach.

The IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2025 inauguration ceremony was also graced by Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH; Nirmal Bhandari, President, IHGF Delhi Fair Reception Committee Spring 2025; Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman, EPCH; Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman II, EPCH; EPCH; COA Members including Avdesh Aggarwal, Ravi K Passi, O P Prahladka, K L Ramesh, Rajesh Jain, K.N. Tulasi Rao and Prince Malik; Nadeem Ahmad Khan and Kamal Kaushal Varshney, Vice-Presidents Fair Reception Committee; R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH; and other prominent overseas buyers, buying agents from India as well as leading member exporters of EPCH. This edition has brought together 3000+ exhibitors in 16 dedicated halls for elaborate display segments of home, lifestyle, fashion, furnishing, furniture and interiors. Besides exhibitor booths in the halls, visitors have access to the 900 Marts/permanent showrooms of leading exporters, located on various levels of the India Expo Centre that are all decked up and replenished for the sourcing days.

Dileep Baid, Chairman, EPCH shared, “Renowned for its international appeal and unmatched ability to connect entrepreneurs, exporters, and artisans, the IHGF Delhi Fair continues to instill confidence among overseas buyers in the superior quality, distinct design and global marketability of Indian products. Each edition serves as a powerful catalyst for fresh business opportunities, forging new buyer relationships while offering an ever-expanding range of products.” Addressing the backdrop of global uncertainty and transformation. Baid further shared, “While the recent reciprocal tariffs imposed by the U.S. on several countries, including India, have added new challenges, buyer registrations from the U.S. for this edition of the fair remain as strong as ever, reaffirming the confidence international markets place in Indian craftsmanship. With the continued support of the Government of India, and through a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement with the U.S., we are optimistic about expanding our export footprint in the years to come.”

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Director General, in the role of Chief Mentor, EPCH and Chairman-IEML, said, “With each successive edition, the IHGF Delhi Fair has witnessed remarkable growth in scale and stature. Backed by an extensive global publicity campaign led by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the event has already attracted a large number of registered overseas buyers, wholesalers and retailers on its first day. The India Expo Centre & Mart, with its world-class infrastructure, continues to serve as the ideal venue for hosting this grand showcase. Further enriching the sourcing experience are the 900 permanent Mart showrooms, owned by some of India’s leading handicraft exporters.” Dr. Kumar further noted, “It is heartening to see more and more Mart owners actively leveraging the export opportunities that the IHGF Delhi Fair brings, building sustainable, year-round business linkages with international buyers.”

Nirmal Bhandari, President, IHGF Delhi Fair-Spring 2025, Reception Committee, informed, “Adding depth and authenticity to the IHGF Delhi Fair experience, national awardee crafts persons are featured in a specially curated thematic setting, offering live demonstrations of their traditional skills. These master artisans, representing diverse regions of India, bring to life the richness of the country’s heritage crafts. Their participation not only showcases the intricate techniques passed down through generations but also provides visitors with a rare opportunity to witness these art forms first hand. The showcase includes celebrated crafts such as Metal Engraving, Lac Bangle Making, Pashmina Sozni Embroidery, Madhubani Painting, Sikki Grass Art, and Hand Painting, many of which hold Geographical Indication (GI) certification, attesting to their regional authenticity.”

Dr. Neeraj Khanna, Vice Chairman, EPCH, informed, “Our exhibitors at the IHGF Delhi Fair have dedicated significant effort to product design and development, ensuring their offerings align with evolving market trends and international buyer preferences. This proactive approach to innovation and quality has resonated strongly with global audiences. The enthusiastic response from international buyers highlights the positive sentiment surrounding this edition of the Fair. This momentum is equally echoed by both new and returning visitors from India’s leading retail and online brands, further validating the Fair’s position as a vital sourcing platform for handcrafted excellence and trend-forward collections.”

Welcoming all to the 59th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair, Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman II, EPCH, remarked, “This event stands tall as one of the largest and most prestigious trade fairs in the country. It is a shining testimony to the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of our member exporters, who have proudly presented their exquisite craftsmanship and unique offerings to the world for nearly three decades.” He added that the next two days will feature seminars on AI in Product Design: Redefining Trends for Tomorrow; Safeguarding Business Transactions through Cyber Security Services in Digital Era; and Leveraging AI-Powered Software for Optimizing Export Operation, designed to empower participants and enhance their business acumen. An engaging workshop on The Art of Attraction: Visual Merchandising Strategies for Impactful Booths is aimed at helping exhibitors elevate their presentation and buyer engagement.

R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH said, “that the continued trust of international buyers in EPCH is evident, with consistent participation at IHGF Delhi Fair for over three decades. This edition too began on a vibrant note, with active buyer registrations and a dynamic atmosphere across the venue, marked by bustling halls and meaningful business engagements throughout the day.

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. An estimated provisional exports of handicrafts during the year 2024-25 was Rs. 33,490.79 Crores (US $ 3959.86 Million) informed by Mr. R. K. Verma, Executive Director, EPCH.