Govt to help overseas buyers source handicrafts easily

24 Feb '11

3 min read

Treating it as a priority area, the Government will take all the efforts for providing a hassle free visit and sourcing of handicrafts products to overseas buyers from all over the world to enhance export of handicrafts from India, Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Jitin Prasada said.

“ The Government gives considerable importance to this sector and has already announced a large number incentives, support packages, welfare schemes and health insurance etc. for the craft persons and other engaged in the production of this sector”, he said this while delivering the Valedictory Address on the concluding day of the 31st edition of the Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF), organized by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

Mr. Prasada further said that IHGF is a very important platform for the producers, manufacturers and exporters of handicrafts showcasing their innovative and diverse range of products for exports.

Earlier, welcoming the Chief Guest, EPCH Chairman Raj Kumar Malhotra said “we have received very good response from the overseas buyers and we hope that the total number buyers sourcing their requirement from the exhibitors of this fair has exceeded the number of last event.”

The IHGF has so far been covering the entire range of handicrafts sector. But, since the overseas buying community is looking at more product specific fairs so that they do not spend time for searching for the products of their interest, the EPCH has already started organizing product specific fairs during the last two years. Soon, more product specific fairs will be initiated on other product groups also, Mr. Malhotra added.

The four-day mega event (IHGF-Spring 2011) generated a business of worth over Rs 840 crore and around 5100 foreign buyers from across the globe sourced their requirements under one roof from a diverse basket of more than 900 eco-friendly product lines displayed by 2300 exhibitors from 28 States of India.

A large number of overseas buyers came from US, UK, Japan, Germany, France, Australia, Spain, Greece, Italy, Hong Kong, China, Turkey, Hungry, Oman, Bulgaria, Thailand, Singapore, Lebanon, Israel, Portugal, Sweden, Mexico, Denmark, Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Taiwan, UAE, Bangladesh, Nepal, Netherlands, S. Arabia, S. Africa, LAC, CIS and many other countries.

Overseas buyers evinced keen interest in many product lines particularly Indian textiles, furnishing, furniture, home décor, curios, bags and fashion accessories, children products,crocheted work and laced goods. Buyers have also shown interest in the products with antique finishing, cane items, coir mats and jute bags.

To encourage the exhibitors, EPCH has also given Ajay Shankar Memorial Awards for Best Designed Stands in this fair in seven categories to Thar International, Jodhpur for Furniture & Accessories, Sanjay Fashion Pvr. Ltd. New Delhi for Fashion Jewellery & Accessories, Mir Handicrafts, New Delhi for Home Textiles & Floor Coverings, Soffi's Noida for Home Textiles & Furnishings, Kariwala Industries Ltd., Kolkata for Fashion Accessories & Bags, J.C. International, Noida for Christmas Decorations, Candles & Incense Stick and Orient Art & Crafts, New Delhi for Houseware, Decorations & Gifts.

EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL FOR HANDICRAFTS

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