The virtual edition of the 41st India Carpet Expo 2021 was inaugurated on Wednesday with close to 200 member exporters showcasing their collection of Indian handmade carpets.
Touted as Asia’s largest carpet expo, the platform aims to cater to the demand of such carpets in emerging economies in the post pandemic era. Held bi-annually to focus on the cultural heritage of Indian handmade carpets, floor coverings and promoting Indian weaving skills to overseas carpet buyers, the fair attracts buyers all across the globe.
Siddh Nath Singh, Chairman of Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC) said that the expectations are high from the virtual expo this year. “This year we will be taking Indian exports of handmade carpet to much greater and newer heights. The India Carpet Expo is an ideal platform for international carpet buyers, buying houses, buying agents as well as Indian carpet manufacturers and exporters. We are also planning to institute Design Awards during the Expo,” he stated.
The virtual expo will offer a platform to over 200 Indian exporters and approximately 300 buyers of 60 countries.
Addressing the inaugural event, Shantmanu, Development Commissioner – Handicrafts, Ministry of Textiles said that exporters from major carpet belts of Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Panipat, Jammu & Kashmir were displaying their exquisite collections here. “Buyers will get a good opportunity to look at such variety. We have buyers also from different parts of the world. The advantage of this virtual fair is that we get buyers from the remotest corners, which we otherwise wouldn’t have had the opportunity to connect,” he said.
Assuring the buyers of the products being eco friendly, he added that all ecological and social norms were strictly followed. “It is a labour intensive sector and we have more than 20 lakh people who are directly or indirectly associated with this sector. There are growers of cotton, wool; weavers and artisans; designers, exporters and traders who are all a part of this trade,” he highlighted.
Taking Shantmanu’s point forward, Sanjay Kumar, Executive Director, CEPC said that India’s unique capability in adapting to any type of design, colour, quality and size as per the provisions of the carpet buyers has made it a household name in the International market. “The industry uses diverse raw materials from various ports of India i.e., wool, silk, man made fiber, jute, cotton and various blends of different yarns. There is immense potential for growth, both in production and exports. It is environment friendly and does not use scarce and perishable energy resources – this makes the expo an extremely popular destination worldwide on handmade carpets,” he explained.
A five day fair, the event is managed and organised by CEPC and has a range of pan-India exhibitors in its ambit. The carpet industry has also been looking at sustainable production of carpets, an element that has been factored in adequately in the virtual fair as well.
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