The 31st edition of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair will begin at India Expo Centre & Mart at Greater Noida Expressway from February 19 in which more than 2,300 exhibitors from all over the country will showcase a wide range of eco-friendly products and over 6,500 foreign buyers from 31 countries.
At least 350 foreign buying agents are expected to visit the mega fair to source their requirements.
The event, being organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, will mainly focus on eco-friendly products made out of different raw material base such as wood, metal, cane and bamboo, textiles made of natural fibres, wool, silk, jute, coir, stone, leather, terracotta, lacquer and using vegetable dyes. Over 900 product lines, styles and designs will be on display.
“The IHGF over a period of 16 years, since its inception in 1994, has made yeoman contribution to the handicrafts trade from India. It has not only enabled Indian exporters in large numbers to participate in the show and secure orders but it also enabled more and more foreign buyers to source their requirement from India at one place one time from the entire exporting Indian community. The most important role played by the IHGF has been the increase in the foreign exchange earnings,” said Mr Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman of the Council.
Handicrafts exports witnessed a 19.81 per cent growth at Rs 6,633.15 crore during the first nine months of the current financial yearas against Rs 5536.28 crore during the same period in 2009-10.