Boosting India-Chile trade relations

The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is the nodal agency for promotion and development of handicraft exports from India. The Council with the support of Embassy of India in Santiago, Chile and Santiago Chambers of Commerce organised a Buyer-Seller Meet from March 11 – 12, 2019 at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santiago, Chile, informed Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH. 

The BSM was inaugurated by Awadh Kumar, Commercial Attache, Embassy of India, Chile. Rodrigo Mujica R Director International Affairs, Santiago Chamber of Commerce and Magdalena Diaz Le Fort, Executive Director, Chile India Chamber of Commerce also graced the occasion.

On day one, Anita Nayar, Ambassador of India to Chile also visited the BSM and interacted with the Indian exhibitors. 

The Buyer Seller Meet in the Latin American Region has been a successful annual event since the last five years and this is the 7th such event organised by Council in Chile since the year 2010. 32 Indian exporters, who participated in this BSM, displayed a wide range of handicrafts, decorative, houseware home furnishing, garments, shawls, scarves, fashion jewellery and accessories, from the state of Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar  Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, Kolkata and Madhya Pradesh.

With premium products to suit contemporary demands, manufacturers in India focus on freshness and new thinking. India's exports to the Latin American Region have seen a healthy and consistent growth with Indian manufacturers and exporters growing knowledge of market trends and consumer preferences.

Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH elaborated that the objective of organising this Buyer-Seller Meet is match making of Indian companies with Chilean companies interested in sourcing handicrafts, gifts, lifestyle products for the Chilean market thereby creating a 'Brand Image' of Indian handicrafts amongst Latin American buyers.

During the event, meetings with some of the big brands in Chile like Walmart, Home Republic, Cencosud Retails S.A., Lounge, Home Republic, Imprtadora Triveni SA, and La Casa Magica took place.

The Director General – EPCH  further elaborated that the LAC and Caribbean countries are potential markets for Indian handicrafts. The exports of handicrafts from India are growing at a healthy rate.

The average exports growth in exports of handicrafts from India has remained between 15 –16% per annum. The exports of India handicrafts to Chile was of USD 11.36 million during the 2016-17 which increased to USD 12.05 million during 2017-18.  

It is expected that this Buyer-Seller Meet in association with Indian Embassy and Santiago Chamber of Commerce will lead to a growth in Indo-Chilean Trade relations.