IHGF: World's largest congregation of Handicrafts exhibitors

The 43rd edition of the world largest handicrafts and gifts fair opens today at India Expo Centre & Mart in Greater Noida Expressway in the NCR of Delhi. The Limca Book of worlds records also recognised it as the world largest congregation of handicrafts exhibitors under one roof. The fair will be held from February 16 - 20, spread over in 1,97,000 sq mtrs area informed Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH.

More than 3000 exhibitors including 900 permanent marts from all over the country will be showcasing a wide range of 14 product categories of houseware, home furnishing, furniture, gifts and decoratives, lamps and lighting, christmas and festive décor, fashion jewellery and accessories, spa and wellness, carpets and rugs, bathroom accessories, garden accessories, educational toys and games, handmade paper products and stationery and leather bags.

Over 6500 foreign buyers from more than 80 countries, buying agents based in India and domestic retail volume buyers are expected to visit the mega fair to source their requirements. The increase in the exhibition space and the number of exhibitors and visitors indicates how important this event is for India as well as for the International buying community. It also demonstrates that it is an indispensable event for overseas buyers for home, lifestyles, fashion and textiles products under one roof.

The world's largest show for home, lifestyle, fashion and textiles will bring comprehensive selections with a choice of over 2000 products made out of different raw material base like wood, metal, cane and bamboo, textiles made of natural fibres, wool, silk, jute, coir, stone, leather, terracotta, lacquer and vegetable dyes.

One of the main highlights of the show will be setting up of thematic display of products from North Eastern Region and Jodhpur mega cluster.

A theme pavilion on wooden handicrafts items produced from legally procured wood and certified under Vriksh – an indigenous Indian Timber Legality assessment and verification scheme will also be set up showcasing the best of wooden handicraft items.

Another highlight will be organisation of informative seminars related to production techniques, skill development, GSP scheme, trends and forecast, discussion on union budget and the forthcoming GST.

Realising the phenomenal growth in the domestic retail market, Council opened the doors of (India Handicrafts and Gifts Fair) IHGF-Delhi Fair for domestic retail volume buyers and e-commerce companies during Autumn 2014 and since then major retail brands and e-commerce companies have become regular visitors to the fair.

"The IHGF- Delhi fair over a period of 23 years, has made significant contribution to the Handicrafts trade from India. It has not only enabled Indian exporters in large numbers to participate in the show and secure orders but also enabled foreign buyers to source their requirement from India at one place, one time and under one roof. One of the most important roles played by the IHGF has been the increase in the foreign exchange earnings beside employment generation for the sector for the country," stated Rakesh Kumar.