Recently concluded India Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF-Delhi), held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida from October 14 – 18, showcased Indian Handicrafts which generated enquiries worth Rs 2,950 crore.
The fair was organized by Export promotion council of Handicrafts (EPCH). This 42nd edition of fair saw the participation of 5000 buyers from 110 countries. Almost 2950 exhibitors were showcasing 2000 products-lines from handicrafts, homedecor, lifestyle, textiles and glassware etc.
According to EPCH, maximum buyers came from US at 636, followed by Germany (305), UK (295), Australia (290), France (252), Japan (205) and China (122). While local artisans participated from clusters like Jodhpur, Rajasthan- wooden handicrafts and Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh – lace crafts. New countries that participated in the fair were Netherland, Tunisia, Syria, Cyprus, Krygystan and Panama etc.
The main products were fashion jewellery & accessories, lamps & Lighting products, houseware, decorative and gifts, candles and incense, furniture and accessories. Stall from North-East stole the show. Their products made of bamboo were main attraction for the visitors.
Informative seminars and cultural programme at the fair were also enhancing the knowledge of visitors and treat to watch.
Handicrafts export grew 18.28 percent to Rs 13,005.35 crore during the first six months of 2016-17. Over all handicrafts exports stood at Rs 21,457.91 crore in 2015-16, the fair contributing to roughly 14 per cent of yearly exports. Seeing the enthusiasm of buyers at the fair, it is very much expected that handicraft export will reach a record Rs 25000 crore by the end of this year.
Naved Ur Rehman, President, IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn 2016 told SMEpost, “The fair was better than expectation. Footfall was really well from across 80 countries. Buyer’s response was too good. This year, business is far better than last year. It will be around 30 to 40 % more than last year.”
Rehman, who is also owner of ZEDSONS (Moradabad) deals in business of metal items, added, “We have changed the design, pattern and finishing in metal work. People are again thinking of brassware. We hope that brassware industry of Moradabad will grow day by day.”
Lazaros came from Greece for this fair. “This fair is really nice. Everything related to handicrafts is available here. Our country, is gripped by a financial crisis. We are gradually recovering and can easily find everything needed for our business purpose at a reasonable price.”, he told to SMEpost.
Ashish Sharma, VP Marketing, The RugRepublic said, “We have got very good response here. Fair has brought sellers and buyers at one level from across world. Home furnishing and carpet vendor are attracting the foreign buyers most.”
Although, some sellers were complaining too. Ajay Sharma from Jodhpur, doing business in home designing wooden furniture, said, “For us, US and Europe is major market. But dates are clashing. The fair will start just after this in the US. Yes, there is footfall but big buyers and major players are not coming.”
EPCH is also hoping that they will achieve the target of 2016-17 before time. Even export is declining but handicraft export is growing steadily. More joyous thing is that Indian handicraft is finding place in Chinese market too and growing very fast which can help to decrease the trade deficit between two big economies. Chinese demand of Indian handicraft has been more than 12 to 15 per cent in comparison to the last year.