Product Development Programme for IHGF Delhi Fair (Autumn) at Kakching Khunou Thingnam, Ningthou Leikai, Manipur

Imphal, 23 July 2019

Product Development Programme for IHGF Delhi Fair at Kakching Khunou Thingnam, Ningthou Leikai

Export promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) an apex body of handicrafts exporters for promotion of exports of Handicrafts from country and projecting India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality of handicrafts goods & services and ensured various measures keeping in view of observance of international standards and specification. EPCH has started a 20 days product development programme at Kakching Khunou Thingnam, Ningthou Leikai, Manipur from 20th July, 2019 to 7th August, 2019.

The objective of the programme is to improve international competitiveness of locally produced exportable products and also to provide marketing platform to the lesser explored craft of the area which will enable the engaged artisans to improve their livelihood.

From the cluster, Ten (10) skilled artisans has been selected and the team headed by one experience Designer of EPCH. Y. Jaghyashwori Devi, Assistant Director, O/o Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) also attended the program at kakching Khunou.

High end prototypes will be developed during the programme and after completion of the programme; the developed products will be placed before the international buyers in the most significant and distinct handicraft sourcing platform in Asia - IHGF Delhi Fair (Autumn) 2019 from October, 16-20, 2019, at India Expo Mart & Centre, Delhi - NCR.

This exposure will enable the participants from North East States to understand the needs, Marketing strategy, Design requirement, packaging specifications as required by the overseas for selling the product in the international stores.

Further, display at International Trade Platforms will create continuous recall value and evokes interest amongst the target audience, which in our case includes buyers, wholesalers, retailers, chain stores and decision makers coming from all over the world.

EPCH has engaged Ms Maibam Surjamala Devi for the programme and Surbala Weaving Unit from Manipur will market these products in various exhibitions and trade fairs organized by EPCH.

The artisans from NE States with the support of DC (Handicrafts) has given opportunities for participation in IHGF Delhi Fair organized by EPCH to explore exports & undertake Brand image promotion campaigns in traditional as well as non-traditional markets.

Product Development Programme for IHGF Delhi Fair at Kakching Khunou Thingnam, Ningthou Leikai

Every year Council participates on an average 30 exhibitions abroad with exporters of handicrafts and conduct brand image promotion seminars for creating awareness and market intelligence & linkages.

EPCH has conducted 101 comprehensive capacity development programmes for the handicrafts of North East covering 4,323 beneficiaries (Entrepreneurs / Artisans). Further EPCH has provided retail and export opportunities on long term basis to the entrepreneurs & craft persons of the North Eastern Sates of India w.e.f. 2015-16 to 2019-20 (till date).

The project focuses on entrepreneurs / exporters to withstand the fierce & competitive international market and increase employment opportunities, thereby improving livelihood of artisans of the region. EPCH has projected the NER handicrafts’ specific image by setting up of thematic display of North Eastern Handicrafts in international level exhibitions in India as well as trade shows of prime repute, overseas.

In addition to above, to promote the handicrafts of North Eastern Region, EPCH with the support of DC (Handicrafts) NER Office has started the Project “Promotion of North Eastern Crafts in International Market” to provide a direct market linkage to the artisans of the crafts clusters and promotion of their crafts in international market.

The program has been organized by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) with the support of DC (Handicrafts), North Eastern Regional Office, Guwahati.

The program interventions are
1. Development of Product Catalogue (for 3 clusters in 1st phase)
2. Development of common website (details of the products will be made available)
3. Promotional video focusing on the craft, production process and the lifestyle of the artisans.
4. Registration of Artisans / Entrepreneurs in GeM Portal

For registration of artisans in GeM Portal, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) has opened two help desk at Guwahati (Assam) and at Imphal (Manipur) to assist the artisans / micro entrepreneurs for registration under Government e Marketplace (GeM) with the support of DC (Handicrafts), NER.

The help desk has been setup at the Regional Office of EPCH Guwahati and at Handicraft Service Centre, Imphal.