Showcasing Indian handicrafts

Smriti Zubin Irani, Union Minister of Textiles inaugurated the 42nd edition of world’s largest handicrafts fair  IHGF- Delhi Fair Autumn 2016 in a colourful ceremony at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida. 

While visiting the fair, Irani commended EPCH efforts for creating such an infrastructure which is not only helping handicrafts exporters but also providing employment to many directly or indirectly in the country. She also said that artisans and craftpersons are the backbone of the handicrafts sector and should be provided all assistance with regard to design intervention and technology to create marketing platform for their products.

To benefit from the visits of tourists in the country, Irani requested Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, who was also present at the inaugural ceremony, to establish souvenir shops in famous ASI monuments in which products made by artisans and craftpersons can be sold thereby providing them other marketing opportunities. 

Apart from overseas buyers, many leading retail chains of India such as Archies, West Side, along with e-commerce companies such urban ladder.com and flipkart.com also came to visit the  IHGF-Delhi Fair. The first day of the show saw hectic activities with buyers seen engaged in business negotiations in mart area as well as in exhibition halls. 

During the first six month of current financial year, export to the tune of Rs. 13005.35 crore has been met out and it is hoped that target fixed, amounting to Rs. 23560 will be surpassed. 

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts [EPCH] which is a nodal agency for promotion and development of handicrafts has been organizing the Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair for the last 22 years.  IHGF-Delhi Fair Autumn 2016 is expected to generate huge amount of enquiries and orders.