Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair kick starts at G'Noida

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) Four-day Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF) today got underway at the plush India Expo Mart and Centre located at Greater Noida Expressway on the outskirts of the national capital, showcasing more than 950 product lines.

Over 2,500 exhibitors, including 900 permanent exhibitors at the fair venue, are showcasing best of their creative products and utility items to dazzle the buyers, said Mr Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director of EPCH, the organisers of the 26th edition of this B2B event.

More than 4,000 wholesale buyers and importers are expected to visit this 'single stop sourcing destination' for their requirements.

EPCH Executive Director said there is very broad-based range covering the entire gamut of housewares, home textiles, utility items, kitchenware, furniture and furnishings, floorings, decoratives, gifts, curios, antique items, costume jewellery, fashion jewellery, animal bone and horn products.

He said there will be serious buyers from key markets like the US, Canada, European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, West Asia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Products of artisans from steep interiors of the country are also put on display and this B2B event is the best medium to popularise their creations in the world market.

It is expected that the four-day of IHGF will generate good volume of business for the target Autumn 2009 season.

The fair is expected to generate a business of more than Rs 500 crore during the event.

Mr Ashok Pradhan, Member of Parliament, formally inaugurated the fair.

The exports of handicrafts have shown an increase of Rs 130.31 crore from Rs 4,302.04 crore to Rs 4,432.35 crore, recording an increase of 3.03 per cent during the period April-August 2008-09 compared to the same period last year.

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