Greater Noida (NVI): Overseas buyers from 110 countries are in India to source home, lifestyle, fashion, furniture and textiles products from around 3200 Indian exhibitors at the 48th Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair that opened here on October 16. The fair will continue till October 20.
The fair was inaugurated by Textiles Secretary, Ravi Capoor at the India Expo Centre & here.
While speaking at the inaugural ceremony Capoor urged the organisers of the IHGF-Delhi Fair to make all efforts to ensure that next year the Fair attracts over 10,000 exhibitors. He further said that with the skills of Indian artisans and the crafts heritage of India the handicrafts industry has the potential to achieve greater growth for not only the sector but for the artisans and the exporters and increase the handicrafts exports of India to Rs. 100,000 crore from the exiting Rs. 26,590 crore.
“EPCH must explore the possibility of opening handicrafts parks in India and develop those parks as tourism and crafts centres. He welcomed the proposal of EPCH for setting up of handicrafts parks for apparel and handlooms and assured the support of the Textiles Ministry for setting up of apparel and handlooms parks by EPCH. Shifting of the production from small organized units to these parks will be beneficial for the small units as it will reduce overhead costs.” he added.
He also directed EPCH to include new segments in the IHGF-Delhi Fair for women entrepreneurs and new artisans and also ensure that the handicrafts industry works on a sustainable model where the entire production process will function as a zero waste manufacturing sector.
“Efforts Are being made by EPCH for sustainable development and preservation of environment by focusing on reduce, reuse and recycle at this edition of the Fair. Around 50 tonnes waste material like plastic, metal, wood and fabric are being reused to enhance and decorate IHGF-Delhi Fair 2019.”, Rakesh Kumar, Director General EPCH said.
He also informed that in order to reduce the usage of plastic, the Council has decided to do away with bottled water and instead is offering metal water bottles to the visitors and exhibitors which may be refilled at the water stations spread across the Fair venue. A 3 MW roof top solar energy panel has been installed in the Fair to minimise carbon emissions.
The Fair will have knowledge seminars on various topics by expert faculties, fashion shows and ramp walks by models wearing fashion jewellery, accessories and utility items sourced from exhibitors.
-sb
