Rakesh Kumar, DG, EPCH: 48th edition of IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn to focus on reduce, reuse and recycle at India Expo Mart

Greater Noida – 14TH OCTOBER, 2019 – Today a press meet was organized by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) for their upcoming fair, ’48th edition of IHGF-DELHI FAIR Autumn’ which will open on 16th October, 2019 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida.

The fair is the largest congregation of handicrafts exporters under one roof duly recognised by Limca Book of World’s records.

The fair is going to be a host to over 2000 + products and more than 300 trend specific design developments, the show will feature 14 display segments of home, lifestyle, fashion, furniture and textiles products by over 3200 Indian handicrafts exporters from all across the Country, spread out in an area of 1,97,000 sq. mtrs.

The 14 product categories such as houseware, home furnishing, furniture, gifts & decorative, lamps & lighting, Christmas & festive décor, Fashion jewellery & accessories, Spa & wellness, Carpets and rugs, bathroom accessories, garden accessories, educational toys & games, handmade paper products & stationery, leather bags will be on display.

Shri Ravi K. Passi, Chairman – EPCH said that IHGF-Delhi fair has evolved as a strong support for the exporters and buyers from over the world. The fair is a continuation of an illustrious journey across 48 editions with an endeavour to present multi-cultural inspirations, new innovations, a good mix of exhibits and a conducive sourcing environment.

Shri Passi further said that India’s diversity is very well reflected in the diverse handicrafts products produced in every nook and corner of the country with over 7 million artisans engaged in production and also earning much needed foreign exchange for the country. The handicrafts sector makes use of the indigenous raw material with minimal import content and low capital investment keeping the tradition of magic of gifted hands alive.

The visitors profile to the show includes overseas buyers from across the globe which includes wholesalers, distributors, chain stores, departmental stores, retailers, mail order companies, brand owners, buying houses and designers and trend forecasters.

Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General-EPCH said that the Council in its endeavor to encourage sustainable development with the preservation of environment at its core, will be focusing on reduce, reuse and recycle in this edition of the show. Waste materials like plastic, metal, wood, fabric etc. are being reused to enhance and decorate the look and feel of the show.

Further, in order to reduce the usage of plastics, Mr. Kumar informed that the Council has decided to do away with bottled water and instead we would be offering metal water bottles to the visitors and exhibitors which can be refilled at the water stations spread across the fair venue.

The overseas buyers from over 110 countries including Albania,  Austria,  Australia,  Argentina, Afghanistan, Algeria, Belgium,  Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium,Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Canada,  China, Denmark,  Egypt, France, Ghana, Germany, Greece, Holland,  Hungry, Hong Kong, Italy, Israel, Iran, Indonesia, Jordan, Japan, Korea, Kenya,Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Nigeria, Netherlands, Oman, Philippines, Palestine, Portugal,  Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia,  South Africa, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden,  Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand,  Taiwan,  Togo, Turkey, USA, UK, UAE, Vietnam and Zimbabwe and many more will be visiting the show.

This year buyers from countries like Libya, Mali, Madagascar and Moldova have also registered for visiting the show.

The major Indian Retail/online brands have become the regular visitors to the show.  The retail companies such as Ambience Mall, Reliance, Woodland, The Wishing chair, The great Indian Bazar, Ferns & Petals, Signature Homes, EVOK [Hindware], Home Plus Retail, Café Bella Italia and Borosil and many more have registered to visit the show.

Fabindia, Godrej, Pepperfry.com, D’Mart, Fab N Rug, Westside, Home, Purple Turtles, The Lalit, Jaypee Vasant Continental, DLF brands, Goodearth Design Studio are already visiting since EPCH started inviting domestic volume retail buyers for sourcing their requirement from this show.

Shri Rakesh Kumar further elaborated that setting up of themes of North Eastern Region has become the regular feature of the fair and this edition will also have display by  more than 20 artisans. India’s North Eastern Region is one of the richest in terms of eco-friendly crafts.  The North Eastern states of India like Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura are known for abundant natural materials such as cane, bamboo, timber, silk, clay, natural fibre, etc.  Due to constant efforts of EPCH, exports from North Eastern region has seen growth.  The exports which was Rs. 1075.74  crores in 2017-18 has reached to Rs. 1323.39 crores in 2018-19  registering a growth of 23.05%.

J&K is famous for its beauty and exclusive raw material base that inspires and shapes crafts in walnut, Papier Machie, crewel embroidery, pashmina shawls, namdas cushion covers &other home furnishing, naquash silverware, willow baskets, copper and brassware. A collective display by more than 20 artisans of Jammu and Kashmir will also be one of the features of the show.

For the first time, regional products such as carpets, shawls, woollen garments, Cushion covers from Mana Gaon, the last village on India-China border  will also be on display by 10 artisans from the village.

Looking at the experience of EPCH in providing skill training to the artisans in different craft clusters, ONGC, a PSU Navratna, also engaged EPCH for providing design inputs under its CSR initiative wherein EPCH helped 50 artisans produce lace and jute products as per latest designs. Out of those trained artisans, 5 artisans with new designs of lace & lace and jute products will be displaying at the show informed Shri Kumar.

Knowledge seminars on various topics like opportunities through e-commerce; foreign exchange services for SMEs; risk mitigation and credit insurance; designs and trends; achieving next level of excellence; packaging for handicraft sector will be organized during the five day event.

Models adorning products sourced from the exhibitors of the show will also be showcased through Fashion shows during the fair days.

Mr. Kumar, DG  – EPCH informed that in order to  give wide publicity of the show, the Council has undertaken extensive promotion and publicity campaign all across the globe through advertisements in International magazines, online portals, outdoor media and road shows at various International shows.

The Handicrafts exports during the year 2018-19 was Rs. 26,590.25 crores. However, the exports of handicrafts during 6 months i.e. April-Sept., 2019-20 is Rs. 12,543.07 crores registering a minimal growth of  2.11% over the same period last year informed Shri Kumar, DG – EPCH.