47th IHGF Delhi fair begins today

Bringing together overseas buyers from 110 countries besides the domestic volume retail buyers, the world's largest handicrafts fair – IHGF-Delhi fair Spring 2019 – is back for its 47th edition.

The five days long exhibition, to be held until February 22, at India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida will showcase home, lifestyle, fashion and textiles products by around 3200 Indian handicrafts exporters from across the country.

This edition will have a comprehensive selection of over 2000 products and more than 300 trends specific design development across 14 product categories such as houseware, home furnishing, furniture, gifts and decoratives, lamps and lighting, Christmas and festive décor, among others.

The overseas buyers from over 110 countries including Albenia, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Argentina Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Ghana, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Slovakia, Spain, , Turkey, USA, UAE, Vietnam, Zimbabwe and many more will visit the show.

Buyers from companies/ departmental stores who have already confirmed their visit to the show include Dekocandle, POMAX, Chehoma, Belgium, Restoque, Brazil, Sunpan, Canada, Lydia Collection, Caravane, France, Loberon, Lambert, GMBH, Germany, Top Ten, Israel, Martinsen AS, Norway, to name a few. Among the major Indian Retail/online brands, new online retail companies like Trendsbee, Nicobar, Gemporia, FabnRugs, Tommy HILFIGER, Sleepwell, have also registered to visit the show.

O P Prahladka, Chairman, EPCH informed that in order to give wide publicity to the show, the Council has undertaken extensive promotion and publicity campaign all across the globe through advertisements in International magazines, online portals, outdoor media and road shows at various International platforms.

Rakesh Kumar, Director General, EPCH said that the uniqueness of the products showcased at this fair will continue to be the domination of hand crafted and hand made products where machines are used only for finishing purposes.

"Though hand crafted products are displayed at many other fairs in the world but it is also a known fact that hand crafted products produced in countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia etc. are predominantly machine made enabling them to cater to bulk orders. Unlike this, India still have predominance of hand crafted and hand made products and this is the reason that India offers uniqueness in craftsmanship, finish and presentation which brings further value addition to the finished products," he further elaborated.

The fair has always attempted to uplift the North-East by setting up different themes for them each year. Due to the constant efforts of EPCH and the rich culture of the region which includes abundant natural materials such as cane, bamboo, timber, silk, clay, natural fibre, etc, the North Eastern region has grown over the years. Taking one such step, they have set up theme pavilion on Jammu and Kashmir this year.

In order to promote young designers, a 'Designers theme' will showcase the innovative designed products by various young designers in traditional crafts and materials such as banana fibre, sustainable indigo crafts, dried pumpkins which replaces plastic products, innovative khadis for hand spun and hand woven home textiles, products made from coconut coir.

Knowledge seminars on various relevant topics affecting International trade have also been planned in the fair. This year, knowledge seminars will be held on subjects like 'How to safeguard against cyber crimes', 'Indo Iran Trade – Prospects and Challenges', 'Regulatory policies governing online business', 'Explore export opportunities in African markets', 'Trends and forecasts', 'What Indian vendors and factories can do better to grow their business with the USA', 'Availability of alternative species for wooden handicrafts', 'The risk assessment and management and financial disputes and solutions'.

To add a little glamour and fun element to the event, fashion shows will also be organised on the second, third and fourth day of the show.