Anant Kumar Singh, Secretary [ Textiles], Ministry of Textiles inaugurated the 45th edition of world largest handicraft and gifts fair known world over as IHGF-Delhi Fair today.
The fair is being held from 23rd to 27th February, 2018 at state-of-the art India Expo Centre, Greater Noida.
Anant Kumar Singh said “Handicrafts sector plays a significant and important role in the country’s economy. It provides employment to a vast segment of craft persons in rural and semi urban areas and generates substantial foreign exchange for the country while preserving its cultural heritage.”
He further elaborated that the Ministry of Textiles has implemented various projects to provide assistance to craft persons and exporters. The growth in exports ultimately results in generation of employment in this decentralised sector of the economy and improve their living standards.
The Secretary shared his experience during his visit to Ambiente 2018 in Frankfurt that he found that products displayed there by over 400 handicrafts exporters were not less than the best in the world and noted that Messe Frankfurt has declared India as a partner country for Ambiente 2019.
O.P. Prahladka, Chairman – EPCH said that The Handicrafts exports during the year 2016-17 was Rs.24,392.39 crores with overall 13.15 per cent increase as against last year. However, the exports of handicrafts during 10 months of the current fiscal 2017-18 is Rs.19,862.19 crore.
EPCHs Chairman further elaborated that 14 product categories of house ware, home furnishing, furniture, gifts and decoratives, lamps and lighting, Christmas and festive décor, fashion jewellery and accessories, spa and wellness, carpets and rugs, bathroom and garden accessories, educational toys and games, handmade paper products and stationery and leather bags was the USP of 2000 styles showcased under one roof by Indian exporters.
Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director – EPCH revealed that overseas buyers from over 103 countries worldwide is visiting the five days extravaganza. He disclosed that EPCH in its efforts to bring hidden treasures from different craft clusters, have set up theme pavilions of products from Jammu & Kashmir, the North Eastern Region and Jodhpur during the show.
