Delhi fair to promote Indian handicraft business

Asia's largest gifts and handicrafts fair, which has welcomed buyers from more than 100 countries to source products for lifestyle, fashion, home and textiles, was inaugurated on October 12, at the the India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida.

The Indian handicrafts and gifts fair, which was inaugrated by Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Textiles, offers an assemblage with a traditional artistic finish in perfect harmony with modern designs and contemporary colours. The fair will last till October 16, 2017.

During the ceremony, Irani applauded the role of EPCH for promoting exports of handicrafts from the country. The Handicraft sector has witnessed a growth of 13.15% in 2016-17, compared to the previous year. Urging the exporting fraternity to think of the welfare of the artisans, Irani talked about how these artisans are the backbone of the sector. In view of the Prime Minister's dream to educate every child of this country, the Minister mentioned about the launch of 'education welfare of the children of the artisans' by EPCH under their CSR programme. The scheme provides full support for educating the children of artisans through open schools. As informed, 75% of the entire expenditure is to be borne by EPCH and 25% by the member exporters, sponsoring the study of the children.

While inaugurating the Delhi IHGF Fair, the minister of Textilementioned that innovation in the designs is the trick behind keeping the prices of the products high. This would in turn benefit the artisians from the weaker section of the society. She also appreciated the introduction of EPCH scheme for "Design Register" under which the member exporter can register their design without any hassle. Irani expressed that design and product development should not be a difficult task for a common entrepreneur and EPCH design services will definitely help the sector in a big way thereby contributing to augment the exports of handicrafts from the country.

Smriti Zubin Irani expressed her satisfaction that the vision of the Prime Minister to promote the North East is being truly implemented by EPCH. EPCH is providing full support through its integrated programme of development of NER handicrafts and handloom which include design, market and skill development.

Speaking on the occasion, OP Prahladka, Chairman – EPCH, mentioned about the EPCH vision for the next five years on 'Technology Upgradation'. "EPCH has just started the 'Design and Product Development Technology Mission' under which the design and new material of product shall be focussed. The minister has assured full support to this new initiative which is in fact the need of the hour.

Speaking further he sais, "Minister also noted that for the first time in the Handicrafts sector, an initiative is being taken for foreign direct investment [FDI] and joint venture opportunities for the buyers and sellers. A symposium on 'Investment Opportunities in Handicrafts Sector' is being organised. It is understood that presently a very large amount of investment from USA and Europeans countries is already taking place in the handicrafts sector in China, South Korea, and Vietnam which are competitors of India. This initiative will give opportunities to overseas buyers to bring technical know how, investment and marketing network so as to form joint ventures for promoting Indian Handicrafts in the world market.

O P Prahladka also appreciated the overall support received from Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Commerce to ease the implementation of GST. He assured the Minister that despite the initial challenges, handicrafts will continue to demonstrate robust growth.

Rakesh Kumar, ED – EPCH said that the special attraction of this fair includes designer forum and recycled products at the fair. About 2980 exhibitors of home, lifestyle, fashion, textiles and furniture are participating in the Fair."