IHGF Delhi Fair – AUTUMN 2020 – 50th Edition to go virtual with leading Indian Handicrafts manufacturers & exporters from 04-09 November 2020

Face Warta (Bharat Bhushan Sharma)
Greater Noida – 2nd November’2020 – The globally acclaimed IHGF Delhi
Fair is heading towards its 50th edition – as a virtual show, 4th in the series of
virtual fairs after lockdown worldwide setting a new order for sourcing.
Considering all circumstantial challenges owing to present travel restrictions, yet
driven by its pressing objective of bringing exhibitors and buyers together, Export
Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), conceptualized taking the virtual
route to organize its fairs – the most viable option at this juncture, said Shri Ravi
K. Passi, Chairman – EPCH. Adding further he said, the upcoming edition, scheduled from 4th to 9th
November’2020 will go live with 25 virtual halls featuring 12 well spread product
segments. About 1400 exhibitors from these categories will present optimum
collections in GIFTS & DECORATIVES I FURNITURE & ACCESSORIES I
HOME FURNISHINGS I HOUSEWARE I LAMPS & LIGHTING I CHRISTMAS
& FESTIVE DÉCOR I CARPETS & RUGS I BATHROOM & BATH ACCESSORIES
I GARDEN & OUTDOOR I HANDMADE PAPER PRODUCTS & STATIONERY I
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ECO FRIENDLY/NATURAL FIBRE PRODUCTS I CANDLES, INCENSE &
POTPOURRI I FASHION JEWELLERY, ACCESSORIES & BAGS etc. A
choice of 2000+ products and 300+ trend specific design developments complete
the supply chain of home fashion & utility, collectibles, gifting, decoratives,
Home Décor, Furnishing, Carpet, Furniture and fashion accessories.
Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH speaking on the occasion said,
though it’s a digital platform, it is expected that large numbers of overseas
buyers from across the globe which includes wholesalers, distributors, chain
stores, departmental stores, retailers, mail order companies, brand owners,
buying houses and designers and trend forecasters will be visiting the show to
source their requirement. For inviting buyers, EPCH has done exclusive
publicity through emailers, online banners, social media, tele calling and by also
involving Indian missions and embassies abroad to promote the show.
The overseas buyers from over 100 countries have registered to visit the
show include Australia, Austria, Andorra, Argentina, Belgium, Bermuda,
Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czechia,
Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany,Ghana, Greece,Guadeloupe, Haiti, Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan,
Kenya, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico,
Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway,
Oman, Palestine, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of
Lithuania, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia,
Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden,
Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, U.S. Virgin Islands, Ukraine,
United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela,
Zambia etc. and many more, added Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director General –
EPCH.
Overseas buyers like Present Company, UK, Caribou, Argentina, Coppenratt,
Germany, Dolan Designs, USA, Simply Home, Canada, Cost Plus World Market,
USA, Costca, USA, El Corte, Spain, KIF KIF Imports, Canada, Migros,
Switzerland, Riviera Maison, Netherlands, Ross, USA, VCNY, USA, London
Ornaments, U.K., Moksha, Uruguay have confirmed their visit to IHGF, said Shri
R. K. Verma, Executive Director– EPCH.
Apart from the overseas buyers, major Indian Retail/online brands have also
shown great interest and registered themselves to source their requirement from
this virtual platform. Those who have registered so far are Home Centre, M2k
group, Home Town and Westside said Shri R. K. Verma, Executive Director–
EPCH.
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Rakesh Kumar elaborated that EPCH have made efforts to match the
features of the physical fair in which themes used to be set up. On virtual
platform special thematic participation to showcase the Regional Crafts of India.
Mr. Kumar further added that in spite of vast production base in the various
Indian Handicrafts clusters, the opportunity for international marketing of the
crafts is not adequately available to the artisans / entrepreneurs. Further
because of the higher marketing cost involved for introduction of new products
to the foreign markets, artisans from the major craft clusters / regions are
unable to undertake aggressive marketing as well as publicity. In an promotional
initiative under financial support from Office of Development Commissioner
(Handicrafts), Govt. of India, Mr. Kumar informed that 100 participants from
major craft categories would be given an opportunity for participation in the
virtual fair and each participants would be provided stall with all facilities for
showcasing the products prominently.
In this edition of IHGF Delhi Fair, the IHGF will have GI Craft (Geographical
Identification) demonstration by a thematic display by National awardees on
Artistic Blue Pottery, Warli Art from Palgarh, Maharashtra, Screwpine craft of
Kerala, traditional Meenakari of Jaipur, Wooden Lacquerware and Toys craft of
Varanasi, traditional shawls craft of Jammu & Kashmir, Traditional Artistic
Gulabi Meenakari of Varanasi, Hand Embroidery of Kutch, Gujarat and
Traditional Artistic Kulu Shawls of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh will also be one of
the highlights. Apart from above, IHGF will witness theme pavilion of Regional
Crafts of India during six days events and more than 100 artisans and
entrepreneurs have been motivated to showcase the above products to attract
the overseas buyers, wholesalers and retailers, said Shri Rakesh Kumar, Director
General-EPCH.
Mr. Rakesh Kumar further informed that in line with the theme of “Atmanirbhar
Bharat” and “Get vocal for local” introduced by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India
and campaigns to promote indigenous industries, Export Promotion Council for
Handicrafts (EPCH) has taken up the initiative to provide international
marketing opportunity to the primary producers of toy producing clusters like
Kondapalli Toys, Nirmal Toys, Etikoppaka Wooden Toys, Channapatna Lacquer
Toys, Raja Rani Dolls, Terracotta Toys, Kinnal Wooden Toys etc. have export
opportunities to connect the Indian toy manufacturers with Overseas Buyers
through their participation in IHGF Delhi Fair Autumn Virtual 2020, said Shri
Rakesh Kumar, Director General-EPCH.
Webinar on different topics such as “Quick Ways to Optimise Forex Operations
in Turbulent Times”; Webinar on “Trend Forecasts-Spring Summer 2021:
Furniture & Lighting “ by Ms. Urvashi Gupta, WGSN; Panel Discussion on
“Bamboo Handicrafts – Marketing, Design & Skilling For Sustainable Development
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& Livelihood”; Webinars on “SELL DIRECT TO CONSUMERS GLOBALLY – ALSO
DO B2B SALES – DELIVER COMMERCE EVERYWHERE, BUILDING
CAPABILITIES FOR DIGITAL WORLD by MS NICHKIE ANTONY, BUSINESS HEAD,
JEWELLERY AND SOFTLINES CATAGORIES for IN to US ARCH in the GLOBAL
TRADE TEAM of AMAZON”; Webinar on “Sustainable Fashion – Why Is It Future?”
by Ms. Ankita S. Pandey, Associate Professor and Industry Expert Fashion,
Department of Design, Sharda University will be organized to provide in depth
knowledge to the participants so that they can keep themselves abreast with the
taste and requirement of the International buying community, said Shri Rakesh
Kumar, Director General – EPCH.
Models adorning products sourced from the exhibitors of the show will also be
showcasing through Fashion shows during six days of the fair, said Mr. Kumar.

The Handicrafts exports during the year 2019-20 was Rs. 25,270.14 crores
crores and during 1st six months i.e April-September 2020-21 is Rs. 8425.64
Crores and USD 1121.38 Million