Textile secretary inaugurates IHGF Fair

45th edition of IHGF-Delhi fair, world's largest handicraft, and gifts fair, was recently inaugurated at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida .The fair, which is being held from February 23 - 27, was set open by Anant Kumar Singh, Secretary, Textiles, Ministry of Textiles.

Apart from Singh, Nicolette Naumann, Vice President, Messe Frankfurt, Radhey Shyam Ranga, President fair, O.P. Prahladka, Chairman – EPCH, R.K. Passi, Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairmen-EPCH, Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH, members of committee of Administration of EPCH, exporters, overseas buyers as well as press and media were present during inaugural ceremony.

While speaking on the occasion Anant Kumar Singh said, "Handicrafts sector plays a significant and important role in the country's economy. It provides employment to a vast segment of craft persons in rural and semi urban areas and generates substantial foreign exchange for the country while preserving its cultural heritage. Handicrafts have great potential as they hold the key for sustaining not only the existing set of millions of artisans spread over length and breadth of the country but also for the increasingly large number of new entrants in the craft activity."

Singh further elaborated that Ministry has implemented various projects in providing assistance to the craftspersons and exporters. The growth in exports ultimately results in the generation of employment in this decentralized sector.

Singh also appreciated the efforts of 'Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts' for creating such a marketing platform in the form of IHGF-Delhi fair for the handicrafts sector.

Sharing his experience during his visit to Ambiente 2018 in Frankfurt, he said that the products displayed by more than 400 handicrafts exporters were not less than the best in the world. He further added, "Messe Frankfurt has declared India as a partner country for Ambiente 2019 and I am confident that EPCH will not leave any stone unturned towards putting up a good show at Ambiente 2019."

While welcoming the Chief Guest, O.P. Prahladka said that the handicrafts exports during the year 2016-17 were Rs.24,392.39 crores with overall 13.15% increase in comparison to last year. However, the exports of handicrafts during 10 months of the current financial year 2017-18 is Rs.19,862.19 crores.

Prahladka further elaborated that 14 product categories of houseware, home furnishing, furniture, gifts and decoratives, Christmas and festive décor, fashion jewellery, and accessories, Spa and wellness, etc is the USP of 2000 styles on display under roof by Indian exporters only.

Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH said that the overseas buyers from over 103 countries including Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, China, Italy, and many more are visiting the five days extravaganza.

Kumar also elaborated that EPCH in its efforts to bring hidden treasures from different craft clusters has set up theme pavilions of products from Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern Region, and Jodhpur during the show.