IHGF-Delhi fair closed with business inquiries of Rs 1,850 crore

GREATER NOIDA: The 52nd edition of the Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (IHGF-Delhi) which was held in its physical form after a gap of 18 months at India Exposition and Mart Greater Noida closed on Sunday with business inquiries worth Rs 1,850 crore.
The biggest exporter of Indian handicrafts was the USA which remained the traditional buyer at 38% high.
“Approximately 1,250 overseas buyers from 90 countries and over 1,100 buying consultants visited the fair, conducting the business of around Rs 1,850 crores," said RK Verma executive director of Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) that organised the B2B fair.
According to Verma while the mood of the buyers was excited, bulk buyers remained from the USA which comprised 38% of the total exports.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, director general-EPCH and chairman of India Exposition Mart Limited (IEML), said the success of this fair has given a big message to the world that “India has opened up with a bang,” he said.
Kumar informed that despite travel restrictions in many parts of the world, the buyer turnout at this edition of the IHGF Delhi Fair fulfilled expectations. Buyers from USA, UK, UAE, France, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, Sweden, Russia, Japan, Australia, China, Singapore, South Africa, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Canada, Brazil, and many more visited the fair this year. “Over the last many years, a large number of buyers and sellers have been dependent on IHGF Delhi Fair for procurement and supply of products that vibe well with consumers across world markets and are readily sellable.
The handicraft exports of 2019-20 were around Rs 25,670 crores whereas the handicrafts exports during the six months of the current financial year from April to September 2021-22 is Rs. 15,995.73 crores. US share in this is Rs 9,855 crore. Overall, the handicraft segment is registering a growth of over 60.34% over the same period last year.
The B2B fair which could not be held last year in its physical form had participants from over 90 countries this year.
This is due to the Covid pandemic as well as to maintain the Covid protocols pertaining to trade expositions issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Government of India.
Dignitaries who visited during the four-day event included Ramdas Athawale Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Union minister of Jal Shakti, Rajeev Chandrasekhar Union minister of state for skill development and entrepreneurship and electronics and information technology, Syed Shahnawaz Hussian minister of industries government of Bihar, UP Singh secretary ministry of textiles, Shantmanu development commissioner (Handicrafts) and more.