In a bid to bridge the gap between Indian handmade carpets products and floor coverings across the globe in the post-pandemic era, the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) has organised the 1st virtual edition of 40th India Carpet Expo.
An exclusive trade fair for handmade carpets and other floor-coverings was inaugurated on Friday by Union Minister of Textiles and Women & Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani, through Video Conferencing.
In her address, the textiles minister appreciated the efforts of the CEPC in organizing 1st Virtual Edition of India Carpet Expo in the pandemic of COVID-19 and congratulated CEPC, Chairman, Siddh Nath Singh and Committee Members for their efforts.
Assuring full support from her ministry to the council for the growth of the industry, Irani said, “Koshis Karna Walo ki Kabhi Har Nahi Hoti” and industry is following the vision of Prime Minister “Sab ka Sath Sabka Vikas Sab ka Vishwas.”
The five-day Expo will remain open for business till August 25th, 2020 and will be live for 24 hours for the exhibitors and buyers but to facilitate the exhibitors and overseas buyers video conferencing meetings the timings will be from 12.15 p.m. to 12.00 midnight.
Siddh Nath Singh in his address mentioned that in the COVID-19 scenario travelling is not possible both for our exporters and overseas buyers and hence this virtual edition of India carpet expo is an ideal platform for International carpet buyers, buying houses, buying agents, architects and Indian carpet manufacturers & exporters to meet virtually and establish long term business relationship.
”This exhibition is a crucial step towards taking Indian exports of handmade carpet to much greater and newer heights,” he added.
Singh further added that there are tremendous business opportunities for participating manufacturers and exporters as various prominent buyers of handmade carpets from all over the world will be attending the show and orders worth over thousand crores are expected to be executed in near future.
”It is the endeavour of the council to provide an exclusive business environment to the both carpet importers as well as manufacturer-exporters, which ultimately will benefit over 20 lakhs weavers and artisans employed in this highly labour intensive rural based MSME cottage industry,” he said.
Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director expressed hope that the ultimate benefit will go to the weavers and their families.
”We are looking forward to the grand success of the event. We have already planned and got approval of more similar events,” he added.
India Carpet Expo is one of the largest handmade carpet Fairs in Asia with a unique platform for the buyers to source the best handmade carpets, rugs and other floor coverings under one roof. 162 exhibitors are displaying their products in the exhibition and over 400 overseas buyers have already registered from 58 countries and provided a login-password for their participation.
