Home Expo India 2013 brings Rs 5.54bn business

The recently concluded four-day Home Expo India 2013–a joint showcase of three key sectors, namely–Home Textiles, Furniture and Houseware, has brought a business of Rs. 5.54 billion, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH), the organizer of the show, said.

In its second-edition, the expo held at the India Expo Centre and Mart in Greater Noida, drew over 1,327 global buyers and also their representatives, buying agents and retail buyers, particularly from Canada, Australia, Latin America, US, Europe, New Zealand, Asia, Africa and Australia.

The visitors got to choose from a varied-range of international quality goods featured by over 1,265 exhibitors, including producers and also mart owners from across India.

As the nodal agency for promotion of handicraft exports in India, EPCH plays the part of a catalyst between the Government, exporters and buyers, with an aim of encouraging handicraft trade from India, and building the country’s image as a reliable supplier in the global market.

Besides the Home Expo, EPCH has also been organizing Asia’s biggest bi-yearly Indian Handicraft & Gifts Fair (IHGF) in Spring and Autumn every year, for over the past 15 years to encourage handicraft exports from India.

For years, IHGF has been recognized as a "One Stop Sourcing Event" for global buyers and an effective medium of marketing for Indian exporters.

In fiscal year 2012-13, Indian handicraft exports increased by 38.50 percent to Rs. 179.701 billon, compared to exports of Rs. 129.752 billion made during the same period of previous fiscal.

In dollar terms, India’s handicraft exports grew by 22.15 percent in April-March 2012-13 to US$ 3.304 billion, as against exports of US$ 2.705 billion made during the corresponding period of 2011-12.