Over 2,650 exhibitors to participate in handicraft fair

More than 2,650 exhibitors, showcasing a wide variety of products will participate in the 'Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair' starting February 17 here.
The four-day fair, which will be inaugurated by Union Textile Minister K S Rao, a large number of overseas buyers who come to source their requirements from Indian companies, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) said.
The handicraft fair this year will have more than 2,650 exhibitors including 900 permanent marts, drawn from various regions and states.
The major product categories include houseware, home textiles, furniture, cane and bamboo, X-Mas decorations, fashion jewellery and lamp & lighting. Lace craft from Narsapur, Andhra Pradesh will also be on display, EPCH said.

Handicraft exports registered an increase of 38.5 per cent in rupee terms and 22.15 per cent in dollar terms during 2012-13 over the previous year. The exports during first 10 months of the current fiscal are Rs 16,786 crore, it said.
"Export target of Rs 24,500 crore during 2013-14 will be surpassed," EPCH Chairman Lekhraj Maheshwari said.
The EPCH is a nodal agency for promotion of handicrafts products exports from India.