MP’s Industrial Policy Minister visits IHGF on Day 3, explores opportunities for promoting Handicrafts in the state

Greater Noida – 16th October 2022 – With 12 well spread product categories in 16 expansive halls at the India Expo Centre & Mart, IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2022, continues to inspire and enthuse its patrons and first time trade visitors as they meet makers, gather inspirations and source creations from a cross section of craft regions and production clusters spread across India with varied geographical locations, have brought in, their distinct cultural identity and products made from an abundant raw material base.

The fair is alive with innovations and handcrafted fusions traversing from timeless classics to modern influences, transitional elements to simple yet surprising lines inspired by nature and everyday life. With a wide-ranging choice in modern, directional and unusual medium to high-end gifts and collectibles, the emphasis is on novelty, material, design, value addition, utility and competitive pricing.

Sustainability continues to be at the forefront of the product offerings at the IHGF Delhi Fair. There is a large variety in eco-friendly home, lifestyle, fashion, textiles and furniture products from exhibitors and suppliers that are striving to do their part to ensure a more sustainable and ethical future. Today, while many established players (manufacturers/exporters) in India have taken decisive steps to be socially as well as environmentally responsible and compliant, and are certified, there are many artisans and manufacturers whose business model is essentially about sustainability. They have brought to the fair, cotton & jute lifestyle accessories, hand painted artisanal apparel using natural colourants, quilling crafts using waste cloth with paper, fashion accessories made from Lotus stem fibers derived during nature’s cyclic changes, ahimsa (non-violent) silk scarves, stoles and bags, river reed (kauna grass) table accessories and multi-purpose bags, bamboo flasks and travel mugs with bamboo straws, cane & bamboo home decoratives and floor mats, etc.

Buyers from many countries have already visited the show. Sara from USA is here to source handbags, textiles for kitchen and women’s apparel. “We are glad to see the collection of suppliers and products in the fair and hope to make useful business connections here. Our imports from India look good this year!” she shared. “The fair provides us with amazing opportunity and we look forward to have a productive time,” said Christine from Australia who is on her third visit to this fair. She buys fashion accessories and antique furniture from India. Dan Haysom from UK said he is impressed with the products, their quality and reasonable pricing.

IHGF Delhi Fair was visited today by Rajvardhan Singh Dattigaon, Minister of Industrial Policy & Investment Promotion, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh. He met with Raj K Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH; Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH & Chairman, IEML; leading member exporters of EPCH; to explore opportunities for promoting business in Madhya Pradesh, especially for micro enterprises with focus on handcrafted traditional products.

The Panel Discussion on ‘Sustainability and Circularity – How waste can be utilized to generate value’ held today had eminent speakers like founders of social enterprises, waste up-cycling technologists as well as professionals promoting fashion from waste, remodeling the use of industrial waste materials by combining the knowledge and skills of traditional crafts with modern materials. They opined on pressing issues concerning the environment today and how the handicrafts industry can work in sync to use resources judiciously to reduce wastage. The panel discussed on importance of circular economy, accessing waste and understanding the waste supply chain, using waste to create value through craft, role of the government in the up-cycled crafts supply chain, working with informal workers, innovation, as well as support available. Seminars titled, Sustainable ZED Certification Benefits for Handicrafts Manufacturers & Exporters; and Conscious and continuous improvement towards NET ZERO, conducted by senior consultants were well attended. Ramp Presentations showcasing several new collections for seasons ahead, continue to draw crowds.

EPCH is a nodal agency for promoting exports of handicrafts from the Country to various destinations of the world and projecting India’s image abroad as reliable supplier of high quality of handicrafts goods & services. The Handicrafts exports during the year 2021-22 was Rs. 33253.00 Crores (US $ 4459.76 Million) registering a growth of 29.49% in rupee term & 28.90% in dollar terms over the previous year, informed by Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH & Chairman IEML.