India's Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) will make its debut with an official pavilion at Ambiente Arabia, the international gifts and homeware show being held in Dubai next month.
“Our total exports in 2000/2001 were well over $1.45 billion an increase of 13.70 percent on 1998/1999 figures,” said Rakesh Kumar, EPCH executive director. “Although there is a huge potential in the Middle East for handicrafts our share in the region remains minimal compared to our best markets like the US and Europe.”
EPCH is a non-profit organization, which works under the administrative control of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) at the Indian Ministry of Textiles. EPCH membership has grown from 35 in 1986 to over 6,000 companies to date. A dozen EPCH member-companies are expected to participate in the show.
Daghestan will also host a pavilion making its Middle East debut at Ambiente Arabia. To date, exhibitors from Europe, Russia and the Far East have confirmed participation in Ambiente Arabia, which will occupy a hall at the Dubai International Exhibition Center.
“Current industry estimates show that the Middle East retail market will be worth $500 billion by 2010,” said Sally Hodgkinson, Ambiente Arabia project director. “Recent downturn in other economies means more and more companies are eyeing the Middle East as a lucrative alternative.”
The show, organized by IIR Exhibitions and Conferences, has been re-launched as a dedicated annual event running alongside the Motexha Autumn fashion and retail exhibition. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
