IHGF Delhi Fair generates business enquiries worth Rs 1,700 cr

The 43rd edition of IHGF Delhi Fair Spring 2017, held at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida,has been able to generate business enquiries worth Rs 1,700 crore.
The Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) - Delhi Fair Spring 2017, which was concluded today, saw buyers from 91 countries participating in the event this year, Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director - Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), said.
The exhibitors showcased their products in 14 product segments showing the strength of handicrafts in home, lifestyle, fashion, gifts and furniture with 2,000 product lines.
Overseas buyers and their representatives participation increased from 4,700 last year to 4,900this year.

The fair generated business enquiries worth Rs 1,700 crore this year.
D Kumar, Chairman - EPCH, said that maximum buyers came from the US (625), the UK (376), France (277), Germany (211), Italy (192), Australia (175), Japan (149), Netherlands (147), Spain (135) and China (105).

In its initiative to encourage entrepreneurship in Handicrafts sector, an MOU was also signed between EPCH and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) for setting up incubation centres at craft cluster.
A pilot incubation centre has already been initiated at Moradabad Resource Centre at Moradabad.
EPCH and IIFT aims to create 5,000 entrepreneurs in next five years, said Rakesh Kumar.

The exports of handicrafts during the latest period April-January 2016-17 have registered a growth of 13.06 per cent in rupee terms and stands at Rs 20,282.18 crore.
However, the growth in dollar terms is 9.43 per cent with exports of USD 3,018.58 million.
The export target of USD 3,600 million (Rs 23,560 crore) is set for the year 2016-17 and going by the current trend we hope to achieve the target.