Varanasi hosts India Carpet Expo for the 15th time
On the first day itself, over 152 overseas carpet buyers from around 40 countries joined the event, and 133 buying representatives visited the expo
The 38th Edition of India Carpet Expo, an exclusive trade fair for Handmade carpets and other floor-coverings, organised by Carpet Export Promotion Council (15th in Varanasi) was inaugurated on October 11 in Varanasi.
The event began with lamp lighting by Ravi Capoor, IAS, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India in the premises of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi in the gracious presence of Vijoy Kumar Singh, Additional Secretary and Financial Advisor, Department of Commerce; Shantmanu, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts); Sanjay Rastogi, Development Commissioner (Handlooms); Sohan Kumar Jha, Sr Director, O/o. the DC(Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Governement of India.
SiddhNath Singh, Chairman, CEPC; Umer Hameed, Second Vice-Chairman, CEPC along with members of the Committee of Administration, prominent Members Exporters and Guests were also present.
Ravi Capoor said, "We are very glad that CEPC organises this expo twice a year to promote Indian weavers worldwide. Every year, expo generates a huge amount of business."
He also shared that everything is handmade and hand woven here, which is the major attraction to the foreign buyers.
Whereas, Shantmanu mentioned that his office is providing dedicated for promotion of Handicraft sector and launched various schemes for promotion, marketing and training of the weavers and small entrepreneurs.
Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman, CEPC stated, "India carpet expo is an ideal platform for International Carpet Buyers, Buying houses, buying Agents, Architects and Indian Carpet Manufacturers and Exporters to meet and establish long term business relationship.This exhibition is a crucial step towards taking Indian exports of Handmade carpet to much greater and newer heights."
Singh further added that there are tremendous business opportunities for participating manufacturers and exporters as various prominent buyers of Handmade Carpets from all over the world will be attending the show and orders worth over thousand crores are expected to be executed in near future. New fall-winter colors and designs are being showcased at the Carpet Expo.
On the first day itself, over 152 overseas carpet buyers from around 40 countries mainly Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Denmark, Egypt, to name a few joined the event, and 133 buying representatives visited the expo to generate business for this rural based cottage sector.
It is the endeavor of the Council to provide exclusive business environment to the both carpet importers as well as manufacturer-exporters, which ultimately will benefit about 2 million weavers and artisans employed in this highly labour intensive rural based MSME cottage industry.
Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman, CEPC further informed that Export Excellence Award for the year 2018-19 will also be given away under five categories.
To start with, 'Kaleen Ratna' – Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to prominent personalities for their contribution to the Indian Handmade Carpet Industry, at the award show organised at Hotel Taj Ganges, Varanasi.
The four day expo will remain open for business till October 14, 2019.
