XXXIII EXPOARTESANIAS 2013 INAUGURATED BY AMBASSADOR OF INDIA IN COLOMBIA
India Pavilion set up in collaboration with Indian Embassy during XXXIII Expoartesanias 2013, being held from 6 – 19 December, 2013 in Colombia, was inaugurated on December 06, 2013 by Ambassador of India Mr. Riewad V. Warjri in the presence of Mr. Navraj Goyal, Addl. Development Commissioner(Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India, Mr. Harish Lall, Member COA-EPCH, Mr. Jaime Mantilla, President – Colombia India Chamber of Commerce and Mr.R.K.Verma, Director-EPCH alongwith local dignitaries from Bogota, Colombia.
The 14-day-long event is aimed at showcasing craftsmanship of Indian handicrafts to the Colombian buyers and generating business, said Mr. Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH.
EXPOARTESANIAS is the largest and famous fair of handicrafts in Latin American Countries. India is part of 18 countries selected to set-up special pavilions at this prestigious event, the biggest handicrafts & artisans’ exhibition in Latin America.
Indian pavilion has been set up in Hall 6 along with 35 Indian Handicrafts Exporters of which 17 member exporter of EPCH are participating with Council in Expoartesanias 2013 along with 5 master craft persons deputed by O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles. These Master Craft persons are performing live demonstration of their crafts such as Phulkari, Zari Craft, Tie & Dye, Blue Pottery and Shawls.
Approximate 700 handicrafts manufacturers are participating from India, Argentina, Maxico, Pakistan, Turkey, Peru, Thailand, Venezula, Equador, Indonesia, Parague, Uruguay and Colombia.
Good foot fall of buyers was seen during the first three days of the show.
To create awareness of Indian Handicrafts and India as a Sourcing Destination, the Council had also organized a seminar on December 05, 2013 at Bogota, Colombia in close coordination with Indian Embassy. Ambassador of India welcomed the delegates present during Seminar.
The speakers of seminar were leading importers of Colombia, M.S. Cristina De La Espriella, President of Colombia Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jaime Mantilla, Ms. Martha Lucia Diaz Rivera, Journalist, Mr. Harish Lall, Member COA-EPCH, Mr. Navraj Goyal, Addl. Development Commissioner-(H). The seminar was attended by leading Importers, representatives from trade associations, Press & Media and other dignitaries.
Mr. R.K.Verma, Director-EPCH made a presentation about “India a Perfect Sourcing Destination for Handicrafts & Gifts”. A cultural performance of Indian dance was also performed by local artists.
Mr. Kumar, Executive Director further elaborated that the Council has been participating in XXXIII Expoartesanias for the last many years as Latin America and Caribbean countries offer immense potential for exports of Indian handicrafts.
The exports of handicrafts has increased manifold in previous years as the exports which was USD million 1858 during 2000-01 increased to USD million 3305 during 2012-2013. The average exports growth in exports of handicrafts from India has remained between 15 – 16% per annum. The exports to Colombia was of USD 3.15 million during the 2011-12 which increased to USD 4.53 million during 2012-13, he added.
