The 40th edition of IHGF- Delhi Fair Autumn 2015 - the world's largest fair of Indian handicrafts and gifts organized by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) was inaugurated by Minister of State for Textiles (Independent Charge) Santosh Gangwar at India Expo Centre and Mart right here on Wednesday.

Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF) has come to be recognised as a one stop sourcing event amongst overseas buyers and a very effective marketing medium amongst Indian exporters, according to its organisers Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

Speaking on the event, Gangwar stated handicrafts of India have a definite picture and that Indian handicrafts could be additional promoted by means of festivals of this type. He applauded EPCH for including newness to the truthful by increasing the truthful space and setting up new halls.

He additional stated that exporting group ought to innovate and provide new merchandise in order that consumers who go to IHGF-Delhi truthful take again the impression that these sorts of merchandise can’t be sourced from anyplace else. India has a treasure trove of uncooked supplies, craftsmanship and ethnic traditions and methods, and that they have to reorient to deliver innovation and novelty.

The product categories on display include houseware, tableware, kitchenware, hotelware, home furnishing, home textiles, linens and made ups, festive decor, among others

More than 5,000 overseas buyers from leading international departmental/chain stores, wholesalers, distributors and major brands like Bloomingdale's, Macy, K-Mart, Walmart, Pier 1, Marks and Spencers, Restoration Hardware, Karstadt, Carrefour are sourcing at the fair.

Buyers from Latin American region particularly Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Chile, Central Asia, Africa and Middle East will also be sourcing their requirements at this fair, EPCH Chairman Dinesh Kumar said.

The exhibition will also host a series of activities including fashion shows, informative seminars and discussions on various relevant topics, cultural performances by Indian artists and live demonstration by artisans.

Keeping in mind the significance of online business the Council has set up an e-hub where e-commerce portals like eBay, Flipkart, Shop Clues and others will offer their services to the exhibitors.

Meanwhile, Dr. Panda congratulated the handicrafts sector for attaining excellent progress figures. Handicrafts sector not solely earns overseas change but in addition offers livelihood to giant variety of artisans. He stated that underneath the visionary management of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a brand new chapter has been opened for empowering individuals with talent, vanity and satisfaction. A number of new initiatives have been launched, giving specific consideration to creating improvement participative and inclusive.

Handicrafts exports during 2014-15 stood at Rs 18,639 crore, registering a growth of 7.96 per cent in rupee terms and 6.82 percent in dollar terms.