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FURNISHINGS: India Carpet Expo Attracts Buyers from 60 Countries

Varanasi hosted the 32nd edition of India Carpet Expo (ICE) on 3-6 October 2016; This was the for the 12th time that the event was organised in the holy city. The expo attracted 309 exhibitors and buyers from 60 countries. Business generated in the fair, as per reliable sources including participants, is estimated between Rs.275.00 and Rs.300.00 crore, apart from number of enquires which shall also generate further business over the year.

As per the organizer of the fair, the Carpet export Promotion Council (CEPC), in spite of the current recessionary trend the presence of 350 overseas buyers from establish the status of the ICE and strong demand of Indian products in international market. However, this small number of buyers should be viewed as matter of serious concern, given the efforts and resources that go in to promotion of the crafts in India.

The Expo was inaugurated by Virendra Singh, Member of Parliament-Bhadohi along with other dignitaries in the Ground of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University at Varanasi. Ms Rashmi Verma, Secretary (Textiles), Govt. of India, and Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Tourism (IC), Govt. of India visited the Expo. They assured the participants and exporters the best possible support in promoting Hand-knotted Carpets and appreciated the efforts of CEPC in organizing such a big event at par with international standard. Ms Rita Teaotia, Secretary (Commerce), Govt. of India, also visited the Expo.

Buyers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, U.A.E., U.K., U.S.A., among others, registered their attendance. The fair was also attended by more than 250 representatives of major buying houses.

Kuldeep R Wattal, Chairman, CEPC expressed that this event will benefit the medium and small exporters who can’t afford to display their products in overseas Exhibitions on the one hand and on the other hand show the capability of India in producing and supplying quality products in time. Shiv Kumar Gupta is the Executive Director-cum-Secretary of the organising committee. The Council announced the date of next India Carpet Expo from 27-30 March, 2017 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.