The 49^th edition of IHGF-Delhi fair, first on the virtual platform, concluded.  It was the first of its kind efforts attempted by any Export Promotion Council to overcome the situation arisen due to outbreak of COVID pandemic when organising physical activity was not possible said Neeraj Khanna, President of the fair.

The Golden Book of World Records certified the 49^th edition of IHGF-Delhi fair as first Handicraft Products virtual Trade fair organised by EPCH from 13 – 19 July 2020 spread over in 25 virtual halls and participated by more than 1300 manufacturers and exporters from the Country informed Shri Ravi K. Passi, Chairman.

Approximately 4150 overseas buyers from 108 countries, buying agents and domestic volume retail buyers visited the show on a virtual platform to source home, lifestyle, fashion, furniture and textiles products informed Rakesh Kumar, Director General – EPCH.

Kumar further elaborated said that the buyers visited from regions likes Europe [ 1050], North America [ 750], Oceania [ 525], ASIA [ 350],  South America [ 255 ], Middle East [250], Africa [ 202]. It is expected that serious business enquiries worth Rs. 320 crores have been generated during the seven days event.

Buyers from companies/ departmental stores visited the show included  Cost Plus World Market, Anthropologie,  Ralph Lauren, WKND-WYFR, Urban Outfitters, Mudpie,  Cracker Barrel, TJX, Wisteria, Bed Bath and Beyond from the USA, Tchibo, Marc O Polo, Impression from Germany, Pick n Pay from South Africa, Fox Home from Israel, Riviera Maison, Edelman BV from the Netherlands, Carrefour from  France, Bunnings Warehouse from Australia, Tesco, Ross, Next from the UK, Migros from Switzerland and Kif Kif Imports, Canada.

Not only overseas buyers, department stores of renowned countries, major Indian Retail/online brands such as  Bombay Store Ltd, Synergy Lifestyles, Fab India Overseas Pvt Ltd, Goodearth Design Studio Pvt. Ltd., Reliance Retail, Walmart, Asian Paints Ltd, Raymond Limited, Amazon, Myntra, Archies, Pepperfry, Alibaba.com, Shoperstop, Ferns & Patels, Shruberry Lifestyles, The Purple Turtles, Westside,  Sleepwell, Praxis Home Retail Ltd (Hometown), Trent Limited (West Side), Urban Ladder, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Limited and many more also visited and shown their presence felt on the virtual platform.

It was a win-win situation for the handicrafts exporting community who have participated in the IHGF-Delhi fair on the virtual platform as exporters were feeling helpless because of prolonged lockdowns and migration of artisans to their home towns starting from March 2020 onwards.  It became difficult for them to meet out even the fixed cost being incurred by them.  Virtual platform created by EPCH have provided a fruitful opportunity to handicrafts exporters to bring back their business on recovery path by doing business from the safe environment of their homes or factories said Rakesh Kumar, DG  – EPCH.

The highlights of the fair remained Fashion shows, craft demonstration, webinars and panel discussions apart from special promotion on products from North Eastern Region and Jammu & Kashmir. 

Ajai Shankar Memorial awards were also felicitated to the participants of various product categories like Decorative and Gifts; Houseware & Table; Glass art ware; Furniture; Home Furnishing & Made up; Carpet, Rugs & Floorings; Lamp & Lighting accessories and Fashion Jewellery & Accessories, bathroom accessories; bags and accessories; candles; incense sticks; and gift wraps & ribbons along with awards to women entrepreneurs.

The associates’ organisations who have made a significant contribution to making the 49th edition of IHGF-Delhi fair on virtual platform successful event was also given awards and these included Vishal Dhingra, Chairman – Buying Agents Association,  Kaustav Sengupta, Associate Professor, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Chennai, RD&TDC O/o Development Commissioner [Handicrafts]- North Eastern Region and Handicrafts & Handloom Department, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir further informed R.K. Verma, Executive Director  – EPCH.

The reason behind the visit of a large number of buyers at 49th  edition of IHGF Delhi fair virtual from various countries is that EPCH  has undertaken extensive promotion and publicity campaign through emailers, online banners, social media, tele calling and by also involving Indian missions and embassies abroad to promote the show, further said R.K. VERMA, Executive Director – EPCH. 

The Handicrafts exports during the year 2019-20 were Rs. 25,027.08  crores informed by Kumar, DG – EPCH.