The 24th edition of Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF) has started at India Expo Center & Mart, Greater Noida Expressway, New Delhi. The fair, being held from October 16 to 19, 2007, will have an estimated 2,400 exhibitors from various parts of India and will be spread over an area of more than 100,000 square metres. Approximately 8,000 overseas buyers are expected to come from America, Europe, West Africa, Central Africa, Far East, West Asia and Central Asia.
Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair receives maximum number of overseas buyers from the United States and Europe, between them averaging more than 50 per cent of the total number of foreign buyers attending the fair. For handicraft products, these two countries are rated as the largest markets.
All products displayed at IHGF are of Indian origin. The diversified range include houseware, furnishing, furniture, jewellery, floor coverings, decorative items and gifts, home textiles, accessories and bags, Christmas decorations, candles and incense, cane & bamboo products, home accessories, utility items and an eco-friendly assortment. The raw material base ranges from metals, wood, natural fibres, and manmade fibres, to products of vegetable origin, animal by-products, leather, lacquer, and textiles. More than 900 product styles, varieties, designs and colours are displayed at the fair.
During the last two editions, M/s Pantone Inc. of USA had organised a Trend Forum at the fair, highlighting future trends, colours and designs in the world market. This year also there will be a display on designs, trends and colours on the theme ‘HOME 2008’. The forum will also feature presentations by international experts explaining the forecast and its importance.
Rakesh Kumar, executive director of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the fair organisers, informed that besides buyers representing department stores, speciality stores, mail-order houses, category houses, and retail stores, there will be specialists like consultants, architects, distributors, agents and importers attending the fair.
Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair is expected to generate business enquiries and orders to the tune of Rs 800-900 crore.
