Promoting craftsmanship

Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) is one of Asia’s largest gifts and handicrafts fair, held twice a year organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

The inauguration of the 41st edition of IHGF Delhi Fair (Spring) 2016, took place on Saturday at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida in the presence of Dr K Gopal, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts); AM Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry for Development of North East Region (DONER); Deepak Aggarwal, IAS, Chief Executive Officer of Greater Noida Development Authority; NP Singh, IAS District Magistrate, Gautam Budhnagar; SP Dadoo, president IHGF-Delhi Fair; Dinesh Kumar, chairman, EPCH; Raujesh Kumar Jain, vice chairman, EPCH; Rakesh Kumar, chairman, India Expo Mart and Executive Director of EPCH.

Rashmi Verma, Secretary (Textiles), who was the chief guest at the inauguration spoke of the importance of the handicrafts sector both from an economic and social point of view. The individuality of this sector according to her include high export potential, low capital investment and immense scope for generating employment and increasing job opportunities particularly for economically and socially backward sections of the society. 

She also advised the exporting community to lay emphasis on new designs and product innovation to retain the share of Indian handmade products in the world market for the fast pacing change in lifestyle. More than 2800 exhibitors from all over India including permanent marts are displaying numerous products in the IHGF-Delhi Fair Spring 2016. Raujesh Kumar Jain, Vice Chairman, EPCH said: “I have been in the Handicrafts business for 20 years. We have exporters from all over India at the IHGF Delhi Fair and it is not possible for everyone to go abroad to sell their products due to the high expenses involved. We have to promote the Indian handicrafts. We are providing them booths to sell their products here, while we have invited foreigners to purchase handicrafts from India, the largest sector for handicrafts in the world.” He is also the Managing Director of Exmart International Pvt. Ltd. and has set up a stall as well.

Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director, EPCH, said that the Council has chalked out a three-pronged strategy to promote the exports of handicrafts and focused its efforts by participating in fairs and exhibitions organised in different countries annually and in exploring new markets in Latin American, CIS, ASEAN and African regions where exports of Indian handicrafts is negligible.

He further said that a strategy has been prepared to promote the new regions within India also from where presently handicrafts exports are not substantial such as North Eastern Region, Eastern Region and Southern Region by bringing artisans and craft-persons from Narsapur, North Eastern Region and Jodhpur to participate and display their crafts in the fair and provide them direct market linkages with the domestic as well as international buying community.

The products available for display and export include a varied range of strikingly attractive housewares, decorative and gift items, lamps and lighting products, jewellery and fashion accessories, furniture, home textiles, Christmas decorative and incense, bathroom accessories and lawn garden ornament and accessories. 

The participants at the fair are from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Western India, Eastern India and Southern India. IHGF Spring Fair has been the growth of the Indian Handicrafts sector for over 20 years. The four-day fair will be on till February 23.