Over 200 exporters to participate in jewellery fair

Objective is to increase the country's share in the $16.3 bn global fashion jewellery segment

Over 200 exporters will display a wide variety of fashion jewellery and accessories at the Indian Fashion Jewellery and Accessories Fair (IFJAS) in Greater Noida starting from July 13.

The items which would be showcased include fashion and semi-precious jewellery along with accessories like handbags and shoes. The three-day fair is being organised by the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

The objective of the fair is to increase the country's share in the $16.3 billion global fashion jewellery segment. At present, India's share in this segment is negligible.

"India exports fashion jewellery and accessories, but still its share in the world market is very less. Holding of the fair is part of the council's effort to promote and expand horizons of key verticals of the handicrafts sector," EPCH Chairman Arvind Vadhera said.

Top importers of jewellery items include the US, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Switzerland, Australia and Italy.

India's handicraft exports jumped 17.5% year-on-year to USD 2.7 billion in 2011-12, despite demand slowdown in major importing markets like the US and Europe.

The US and Europe together account for over 60% of the country''s total handicraft exports.

Moradabad, Jaipur, Saharanpur, Jodhpur and Narsapur are the major handicraft hubs catering to world markets, employing one million people.