Promoting fashion accessories

Ajay Tamta,  Union  Minister of  State for Textiles, Government of India declared open the 9th edition of the Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Show (IFJAS 2016) on July 21, at  state-of-art  India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida  in a colourful ceremony.   The fair is being organised by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts from July 21 – 23.

Dinesh Kumar, Chairman- EPCH, Sobinder Kohli, President of the fair,  Neetu Singh, Vice President, fair, O.P. Prahaladka, Vice Chairmen – EPCH, members of committee of administration were present on the occasion.

While inaugurating the show, Tamta  said that Handicrafts in India pre-dominantly comes from the cottage, micro, small and medium sector.  Handicrafts sector plays a very important social and economic role of providing employment at the village and town levels to women and economically weaker sections of society.The Minister further said that Indian exporters have shown good performance in increasing the exports of fashion jewellery and accessories, yet they need to do more hard work in maintaining quality, price and delivery of their  products to face  competition as well as to promote exports from the country.

He applauded the efforts of the exporting community for providing employment to the artisans and craftpersons in villages and livelihood to their families. He also suggested that new crafts other than being practised in the craft clusters in villages should  also be introduced in order to generate sustained employment opportunities. 

He further stressed for development of crafts in the Himalayan region on the basis of good work being done by EPCH for promoting  North East region by bringing products made by artisans and craftpersons of NER on this platform where large number of International buyers are visiting to source their requirement. The Minister of State for Textiles complimented EPCH for creating an important marketing event not only for exporters but also for the International  buying community under one roof. Rakesh Kumar, ED – EPCH  apprised the Union Minister of State for Textiles about the activities being undertaken by EPCH  for promotion of Handicrafts sector and future course of action with the hope that Handicrafts sector will be getting all support from the office of Minister of State for Textiles.  

Over  250  exhibitors  drawn from all over the country will be displaying fashion jewellery, scarves, wallets, beads, hair accessories and fancy footwear.