SME Times News Bureau | 09 Jan, 2012
For generic promotion of ‘Home Expo India 2012’ in New Delhi in April, the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is embarking on a massive publicity campaign in the two major product-specific trade fairs – Heimtextil and IMM Cologne – of Germany, being held during this month, to promote Indian handicrafts.

The 4-day Heimtextil to be held at Messe Frankfurt, Germany from January 11, 2012 is a reputed product-specific fair on the “Textile Products” where Indian handicrafts products have tremendous potentiality for enhancing export growth by getting markets, market linkages as well as new buyers.

Heimtextil, the biggest international trade fair for home textiles and the global benchmark for quality design textiles of innovative functionality, is a unique platform for manufacturers, retailers and designers. This is industry’s first major marketing and ordering date of the year and highlights the latest innovations and consumer trends where large number of buyers visit  for sourcing their requirements.

Germany is the major importer of Indian handcrafted textiles as well as consumer goods from India. India’s handicrafts exports including handknotted carpets to European Union account for US$ 1198.69 million which is 40.55 per cent share of India’s handicrafts exports to this region. India’s export to Germany is to the tune of US$ 206.98 million with a share of 17.26%.

The 6-day-long IMM Cologne to be held at Koelnmesse from January 16, 2012 to highlight the latest innovations and consumer goods is considered to be premium product specific fair for furniture and interior design. Large number of European buyers visit this fair for sourcing their requirements. IMM Cologne Fair is a global platform and presents the complete spectrum of international furniture, interior design in a single place.

“Keeping in view the international trends of segmented shows and buyers preferences, the Council is organizing a 4-day premium show ‘Home Expo India 2012’ from April 15, 2012 at India Expo Centre & Mart, Greater Noida Expressway, NCR of Delhi which will have over 600 leading manufacturers and exporters of India. The Expo will consist of three concurrent fairs – Indian Houseware & Decorative Show (IHD), Indian Furniture & Accessosries Show (IFAS) and Indian Furnishings & Floor Covering and Textile Expo (IFFTEX),” According to Rakesh Kumar, Executive Director of EPCH.

“The Council has undertaken wider publicity abroad for inviting foreign buyers and the response being received is very encouraging. It will be an excellent opportunity to contact importers, wholesalers, distributors, retail chains and specialty stores during the Expo,” added the Executive Director.

The exports of handicrafts which were Rs 386 crore in 1986 have now reached Rs. 10,533.96 crore in 2010-11 which is indicative of positive and dynamic contribution made by the EPCH.