Textiles Secretary inaugurates 5-day IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2022, hails Indian handicrafts as treasure trove
Greater Noida –14th October 2022 – The 54th edition of IHGF-DELHI FAIR – AUTUMN 2022, organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), is being held from 14th to 18th October 2022 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida Expressway. The fair, spread across 16 halls and 900 Permanent Showrooms at the India Expo Centre & Mart raised its curtains to overseas buyers, buying and sourcing consultants as well as large domestic volume retail buyers on Friday.
The fair was inaugurated by Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, U P Singh, IAS, in the presence of Raj K Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH; Kamal Soni, Vice Chairman, EPCH; Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH and Chairman, IEML; Avdesh Agarwal, President, Reception Committee, IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2022; Committee of Administration Members, EPCH; and R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH. The fair was also visited by Veenu Gupta, Addl. Chief Secretary, Department of Industries, Govt. of Rajasthan; and Mahendra Kumar Parakh, IAS, Commissioner, Govt. of Rajasthan, Dharmendra Pratap Yadav, I.A.S., Principal Secretary to Government, Handlooms, Handicrafts, Textiles and Khadi Department Government of Tamil Nadu.
Congratulating team IHGF Delhi Fair and EPCH, U P Singh Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, U P Singh, IAS, called this platform, a vital international connect to the Indian handicrafts community, especially the weavers and artisans who contribute significantly to nurture the sector, at the ground level. “With every visit to this fair I have always seen something new or different, be it in terms of product or workmanship, raw material usage or innovated craft skills. This time I have noticed many sustainable products. I feel sustainability, circularity and traceability are very important for these times and times to come. India’s handicrafts and hand weaving crafts sector is a huge treasure trove. While a lot has reached the overseas market, a lot more remains to be explored. I hope this fair is instrumental in achieving such objectives,” he further said.
The fair features over 3000 exhibitors for home, lifestyle, fashion, textiles and furniture, who are displaying their products in 12 well-defined categories. Regional fares and artisan crafts are on display too. “This is the largest business-to-business event of its kind in Asia that comprises a grand spectrum of Lifestyle, Home Décor, Furniture, Furnishings and Accessories from several renowned export houses across India. This makes the extensive display, an all-encompassing amalgam of design, manufacturing as well as hand embellishing skills,” said Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman, EPCH.
Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH, shared, “To keep our exporters well informed and updated in today’s times of fast changing information and technology, we have a panel discussion on ‘How waste can be utilized to generate value’ as well as seminars by leading industry professionals and international consultants on topical issues of trade importance like Lifestyles and Trends, Branding, Sustainable ZED Certification Benefits, Effective Organizational Communications, Forex Solutions, etc.”
Kamal Soni, Vice Chairman, EPCH, informed that overseas buyers from over 90 countries have pre-registered for the fair. The show will also have regular and new visitors from major Indian Retail/online brands. He further added that a plethora of vibrant hand crafted and hand embellished lines are attractions for the visiting overseas buying community.
“The fair’s consistent growth is a result of team work and determined efforts of the organizers and exhibitors. We are back to our full capacities. Overseas trade visitors are happy to visit and the mood has been upbeat with the exhibition area aisles resplendent with buyers throughout the day. Initial reactions look good and promising. Fair facilities & a host of services from the organizers’ side are being appreciated too,” said Avdesh Agarwal, President, Reception Committee, IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2022.
R K Verma, Executive Director, EPCH shared, “Day one of the IHGF Delhi Fair-Autumn 2022 saw the venue abuzz right from the early hours. Their response leaves us encouraged and optimistic for the next four days.”
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.
