India to be Ambiente 2019 partner, eyes new markets for handicrafts

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Aug 30, 2018

The Minister of State for Textiles, Ajay Tamta, spoke at a press conference on India as a partner country for Ambiente 2019, to highlight the role trade fairs can play in increasing handcraft exports and its importance.

Tamta stated the importance of trade fairs in reaching markets where the Indian textile industry has little to no presence, adding that Messe Frankfurt’s upcoming event, Ambiente 2019, which will take place from February 8 to 12 next year, is the perfect opportunity to do this.

“We export to the US and countries in Europe, but we are mission from a few countries,” said Tamta at the press conference.

“This will allow our exporters to tap new markets. From soil to metal, we have skilled craftsman for everything and Ambiente has always been a great platform to showcase our traditional handloom and handicraft. We are the second country in Asia after Japan to be the partner country and this year 450 exporters will take part in the exhibition.”

The Union government is promoting handcrafts and traditional textiles, as part of its “Make in India” campaign, which aims to increase both domestic production and exports.

The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has selected 80 exporters for Ambiente 2019 and the other 380 exhibitors have been shortlisted by Messe Frankfurt, and funding their own expenses. The EPCH’s Executive Director Rakesh Kumar also stated that the organisation will take several national award winning craftspeople to the show.

Both Tamta and Kumar stated that being a partner country for Ambiente will held handicrafts exporters reach new markets.

“I am very pleased that we were able to win the Republic of India as a partner country for the next Ambiente. India has an incomparable diversity, a rich culture and also a tradition of art and craft,” said Senior Vice President of Messe Frankfurt Exhibitions Gmbh, Stephan Kurzawski.

At Ambiente 2018, India had 434 companies exhibiting at the event and was the second largest exhibiting nation.

Messe Frankfurt is one of the largest trade fairs and organisers in the world and has a workforce of 2,400, with annual sales of around €669 million reported.