SUCCESS OF INDIAN CARPETS AT DOMOTEX, HANNOVER
Carpet Export Promotion Council also joins a number of exhibitions worldwide in order to be able to fulfill it’s one of the main objectives, which is promoting the exports of Indian Hand-Made Carpets. Domotex Hannover, the leading trade fair of carpets and other floor coverings has always been utmost important for CEPC to achieve their goals. Domotex Hannover that was held in January 17-20, 2015 has once become a successful show for the Indian hand-made carpets. The Indian Pavilion at Domotex Hannover was inaugurated by Mr. Samir Kumar Biswas, IAS, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, with the august presence of a number of remarkable individuals. CEPC will also appear once again in Domotex Asia/Chinafloor, one of the most successful editions of Domotex addressing the Far East market.
Recent edition of “India Carpet Expo”, held in Varanasi, India on 10th -13th of October 2014 has once again delivered proof of its great international appeal in the world carpet market and its pivotal role as the Carpet Export Promotion Council’s “Flagship Fair”. India Carpet Expo held biannually by CEPC, once in February/March in New Delhi and once in October/November in Varanasi. The next edition will be held in 27th- 30th March 2015 in New Delhi. CEPC, keeps subsidizing airfare and offering hotel accommodation for the selected overseas buyers visiting the show and increased the subventions to 800 USD for the visitors from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Latin American Countries of which 750 USD before. CEPC also increased the subventions for the rest of the countries that also include Turkey to 550 USD that previously was 500 USD. The origin of Indian Handmade Carpet Industry can be traced back to 16th Century when according to a common belief Mughal Emperor Akbar brought some Persian carpet weavers for production of Persian carpets in his own palace at Agra. The main raw-material used in India for making Handmade Carpets is Wool, Silk and Synthetic fibers. The Indian Handmade Carpets are renowned globally for their exquisite designs, subtle elegance, attractive colors and superb workmanship. The brand ‘INDIAN CARPETS’ is unique in the world. India today ranks No. 1 position in the world Market of Handmade Carpets and other floor coverings, both in terms of value and volume. The spectacular fineness of Indian Carpets, the intricacy of their designs, splendor in color combinations and the diversity of options have all contributed a lot in achieving number one position in the world market as reliable manufacturer & exporter of Handmade Carpets. The underlying strength of the Indian Industry rests on its weavers, renowned for their adaptability and skill weaving out myriad designs of different knottages & qualities. High quality and wide range offered by Indian exporters in terms of designs, finishes etc. has made it the most popular global sourcing destination. Indian carpet industry offers to International market all kinds of Handmade Carpets and Rugs, varying from 20 knots/sq. inch to over 1500 knots/sq. inch or even more in the hand-knotted category. Each carpet in itself is an art of high quality craftsmanship. Essentially Indian motifs based on interpretations of figures of birds like peacock & swans, the lotus flower, Indian temples and Indian mythology are now being introduced in high end carpets and no other country can match the variety that India offers to its International clientele. Indian Carpets today adorn the floor of Presidential Palaces, the most luxurious homes, offices & hotels across the globe. A true value for money & high standard of living decoration is the word for INDIAN CARPETS. The Indian Handmade carpet Industry, is an age old and has made significant strides in the recent past. The Industry is highly labor intensive and provides employment to about 2 Million of workers directly and indirectly in the rural areas especially Women in their homes. There is still immense potential exists for growth of production and exports as the Industry is spread all over India. The Handmade Carpet Industry provides extra and alternate occupation to the farmers and others at their homes. Indian carpet weavers can make handmade carpet in any design and as per need of the buyer to cater the demand of every segment of the society. Indian Handmade Carpet Sector enjoys number One status both in terms of value and volume of exports of Handmade Carpets in the world market and exporting 70-75% of its total production. ‘India Carpet Expo’ a flagship event of Carpet Export Promotion Council is a unique forum for all the carpet importers, be it whole-sellers, retailers, departmental stores, interiors-designers or even the architects too. India Carpet Expo is a biannual carpet fair organized, one in the month of ‘February / March and the other in the month of October / November. The Carpet Export Promotion Council was set up in the year 1982 under Companies Act to support, protect, maintain, increase and promote the export of handmade Carpets and other floor coverings from India by such methods as may be necessary or expedient as its main objective. There are around 2290 member-exporters registered with this Council under the Import Export Policy. The main functions and objectives of this Council are to organize participation in trade fairs, exhibitions and Buyer Seller Meets in India and abroad, to advise or represent to Govt. and other appropriate authorities on the Policies adopted by them on the issues related to exports of Handmade Carpets and other floor coverings and other connected matters to promote export of Indian Handmade Carpets and other floor coverings and to interaction between the exporting community and the Government both at the Central and State levels, to build a statistical base and provide data on the exports and imports of the Country, as well as other relevant international trade data, to conduct publicity campaign for branding Indian Carpets, to work for eradication of Child Labor and for the Welfare of the weavers community etc. Carpet Export Promotion Council organized its first Fair in October, 2000 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi under the aegis of O/o. the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India to facilitate the small and medium manufacturers of Handmade Carpets and other floor coverings and later on decided to organize India Carpet Expo at also in Varanasi in the year 2005 in addition to New Delhi India Carpet Expo. India Carpet Expo excels in the field of carpet exhibitions in the Asian Subcontinent as it not only provides access to overseas customers for exclusive carpets of their choice under one roof but it also provides opportunity to the manufacturer- exporters of carpets to exchange their views with the overseas buyers to open up new business avenues at a very prestigious forum. Buyers have an opportunity to conduct their business at the Expo and also be a tourist in Ancient Varanasi City. CEPC is also subsidizing airfare to the selected overseas carpet buyers and hotel accommodation up to 2 nights under MAI Scheme of the Ministry of Commerce. This year the Council has provided each US $ 750 for the buyers from US, Canada, Latin American Countries as well as South Africa and each US $ 500 for buyers from all other countries to selected overseas buyers of Handmade Carpets/ Rugs for reimbursement towards airfare, as a subsidy, for attending India Carpet Expo in Varanasi. The 28th India Carpet Expo and 10th in Varanasi was inaugurated by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Panda, Secretary (Textiles), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India on 10th October, 2014 in the premises of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Ground at Varanasi, in presence of Dr. Saumitra Chaudhuri, Chairman, DBK Committee, Shri G. K. Pillai, Shri Gautam Roy, Ms. Shobha L. Chary; Members – Drawback Committee, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India. 284 Exhibitors from different parts of the country participated in this export-oriented fair where 333 buyers from 43 countries registered their attendance. The fair was also attended by more than 248 buying representatives. The Organizer of the fair CEPC pointed out that even in the current recessionary trend, the presence of 326 Overseas Buyers from all over the world in India Carpet Expo establishes the status of India Carpet Expo as a major competitor in Asian continent and shows the demand of Indian Products in International Market. Shri Kuldeep R. Wattal, Chairman, CEPC expressed that this event has been beneficial to the Medium and small exporters who can’t afford to display their products in overseas Exhibitions due to cost constrains and at the same time showcase their whole range of products which is not possible while doing the event overseas. At the closing ceremony of the exhibition Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Bhadohi Shri Virender Singh emphasized the excellence of the Indian Handmade Carpet Industry particularly from the Bhadohi-Mirzapur area and its contribution to Indian Economy. Hon’ble M.P. in his press briefing. Shri Singh assured his full cooperation and support to take up the issues of the Carpet Industry, especially infrastructural shortcomings of the area.Although it is difficult to quantify the business generated in the fair but in accordance with the feedback given by the participants it is estimated that fair has generated business of over Rs 300.00 Crores (0,5 million USD) apart from number of enquires, which shall result in generation of business in the coming years.
