The 29th Edition of India Carpet Expo was inaugurated at 11.00 AM today, by Honourable Minister of State for Textiles (I/C), Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar. The Expo is being held from 27th to 30th March 2015 in Hall No. 8 to 11, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. 262 exhibitors are displaying their products from all over India. On the first day, around 200 overseas carpet buyers from Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, U.K. and USA registered their presence, besides 120 buying representatives. Shri Virender Singh, Honble Member of Parliament from the carpet city Bhadohi; Shri Ajit Seth, Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India; Shri J. S. Deepak, Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & CMD, ITPO; Shri Arvind Mehta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; and H.E. Ambassador of Slovak Republic, Charge dAffairs from Embassy of Panama visited the fair today. They appreciated the display of carpets as well as the cultural heritage and versatility of Indian carpets. The Carpet Export Promotion Council is giving a subsidy of US $800 to buyers from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, Chile and all other Latin American Countries; and US $550 to buyers from other countries towards air travel expenses. The Council is also providing complimentary hotel stay for the participants. Briefing the media, Shri Kuldeep R. Wattal, Chairman, CEPC, expressed confidence that the Expo will generate good business and has requested the media to extend their full support for promotion of the event, in order to facilitate handsome business for the participants. He added that the newly elected Committee of Administration is taking all possible efforts for success of India Carpet Expo. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Panda, Secretary (Textiles) & Mr. Samir Kumar Biswas, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), other senior Government officials from Central and State Governments, and representatives from trade and media were also present on the occasion. India Carpet Expo: A Brief The India Carpet Expo is being organized by Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), set up by Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The Expo aims to promote the cultural heritage and weaving skills of Indian hand-made carpets and other floor coverings amongst the visiting overseas carpet buyers. It is an ideal platform for international carpet buyers, buying houses, buying agents, architects and Indian carpet manufacturers & exporters to meet each other and establish long-term business relationships. The Expo is one of the largest Handmade Carpet Fairs in Asia, which provides a unique platform under one roof, for buyers to source the best handmade carpets, rugs and floor coverings. It has become a popular destination worldwide for handmade carpets. Indias unique capability in adapting to any type of design, colour, quality & size as per the specifications of carpet buyers has made it a household name in the international market. Related: 29th India Carpet Expo starts on 27th March, 2015
