Recent edition of “India Carpet Expo”, held in Varanasi, India on 18th -21st of October, 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”.
The 26th India Carpet Expo and 9th in Varanasi was organized by Carpet Export Promotion Council, under the aegis of Government of India and was inaugurated by Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, Union Minister of Textiles, Government of India on 18th October, 2013 at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University Ground, Varanasi, in the gracious presence of Dr. Anup K. Pujari, IAS, Director General Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, Shri Navraj Goyal, Additional Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, Shri Chanchal Kumar Tiwari, IAS, Commissioner, Shri Pranjal Yadav, District Magistrate, both from Varanasi District, U.P.; Shri Lalitesh Pati Tripathi, M.L.A., Lalganj, Mirzapur, Shri Ajay Rai, M.L.A., Varanasi, Shri Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman, CEPC, C.O.A. Members Shri Bharat Lal Maurya, Shri Ghanshyam Shukla, Shri Mohd Wasif Ansari, Shri Onkar Nath Misra, Shri Qamaruddin Ansari, Shri Umesh Kumar Gupta, Shri Kuldeep Raj Wattal, Shri Shyam Sunder Singhania, together with Shri Shiv Kumar Gupta, Executive Director-cum Secretary, CEPC and other Senior Govt. Officials from the Central and State Governments. Also present were members from the sector along with overseas buyers of well-known product brands, buying representatives, exhibitors, electronic media, press & other invited dignitaries. The exclusive Handmade Carpet business fair was remained opened for continuous 4 days, for the Overseas Buyers of Indian Handmade Carpets & Other Floor Coverings, their Indian representatives, invitees and guests.
The India Carpet Expo is the world acclaimed established exhibition of Handmade Carpets and other floor coverings in South East Asia. 308 exhibitors from different parts of the country, i.e. U.P., Rajasthan, J&K, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi etc. participated in this export-oriented expo and displayed their latest designs of Handmade Carpets and other Floor Coverings. 304 overseas buyers from 38 countries registered their attendance and more than 250 buying representatives also attended the Fair. In his welcome address at the inauguration, Shri Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman, CEPC informed that “India Carpet Expo” is part of the strategy of the Council to promote and expand each segment of Indian Handmade Carpets, Rugs and other Floor Coverings.
Dr. Kavuru Sambasiva Rao, Hon’ble Union Minister of Textiles, Govt. of India was impressed with the display of various ranges of Indian Handmade Carpets from the higher quality to modern designer quality and appreciated the adaptability of the sector in providing handmade products from “traditional” to “modern designs”, according to the need and requirement of the end users and other consumers.
The “India Carpet Expo”, upholding the prime motive of the Council “is not only bringing the largest business opportunity” to all segments of handmade carpet exporters, beginning from the smallest to the biggest exporter, but it “also provides ‘unique pick and choose’ business” opportunity under one roof to all kinds of overseas carpet buyers, they may be retailers or wholesalers. Indian carpet sector is more than capable to make any design, quality to cater the demand of customers – vast range and variety of designs etc. 304 overseas buyers from 38 countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, U.A.E., U.K., US.A, Ukraine etc. attended the fair to generate business for this rural based cottage industry. On the very first day of the Expo, 174 buyers registered their presence. Although it is difficult to quantify the business generated in the Fair at this moment, but in accordance with the feedback given by the participant exhibitors, it is estimated that the fair has generated business to the tune of around Rs. 500 to 550 Crores. It may be mentioned that the Indian Handmade Carpet Sector is an export oriented, but highly labor intensive and has enormous potential for growth in the coming days. Shri Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman, CEPC remarked at the close of the event that the “India Carpet Expo” 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”. Chairman, CEPC mentioned that the India Carpet Expo beneficial to the medium and small exporters, small entrepreneurs who can’t afford to display their products in overseas exhibitions on the one hand, on the other hand show the capability of Indian weavers in producing and supplying quality products in time.
All the participating exhibitors and overseas buyers came to discover the latest product innovations and trends for the upcoming season”. Shri Siddh Nath Singh also said that, “Our member exhibitors succeeded in reaching their international clientele and laying the groundwork for the business year ahead and set the stage for doing business with no credit, successfully. India Carpet Expo thoroughly fulfilled its function as a unique one to one business platform and an “idea-giver” for the international carpet and floor coverings industry.” During this 26th edition of ICE October 2013, the sector stressed bold colors and daring designs. “The time when floors played a subordinate role to other interior furnishings is over. The current diversity of materials, colors and designs is unlimited, making floors an interior design object – a trend that was clearly visible throughout the exhibition at Varanasi, stated Shri Siddh Nath Singh.
