India Expo Centre and Mart opens in Greater Noida
by Chandrika Jain

    Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today inaugurated the India Expo Centre and Mart (IEC & M) the projected 'Ultimate International Business Destination of the Country' at Greater Noida today. During the inauguration ceremony, Singh said, "he will put forward the matter and discussed with the cabinet about the construction of an international airport at Greater Noida as well as extension of the Delhi Metro Rail line to the area."

   "The provision of adequate infrastructure, including an international airport as well as extension of the metro line to the area was the  'legitimate aspirations' of Greater Noida. In due course of time this region is entitled to all this," he said. Describing the opening of the India Expo Centre and Mart as "an important milestone in the rejuvenation of our textile, garments, handlooms and handicrafts industry", the Prime Minister said that India's textile industry needed to regain "its glorious position as one of the world's most creative and competitive industries". "After Independence, despite our comparative advantage in the textiles sector, we missed the opportunity afforded by growing global demand. Our rigid domestic laws, complex rules, regulations and excessive controls inhibited the growth of an internationally competitive industry. We were overtaken in the world market by other textile exporting economies of Asia. In 1948 India was the largest exporter of textiles this side of Suez. And where are we today? Sadly, we must recognize that we lost many opportunities," Dr. Singh said. He further went on to say that India was on the threshold of a new era. "A new renewal, afforded by the withering away of the Multi-fiber Agreement, beckons to our textile sector. Major markets such as the United States and the European Union are increasingly opening to Indian products. New opportunities are presenting themselves globally.

   Most importantly, in this age of environment sensitivity and mass manufacture, a high premium is being placed on handicraft products. The wares produced by our artisans are seen as unique, exclusive and environment-friendly. This is an edge that we must actively utilize," the Prime Minister said. "There is also a social imperative that should inspire us in this effort, given the employment generating potential of the textiles sector in general and the handicrafts sector in particular. We have a chance to retrieve the lost ground, but we need sensible policies if we are to succeed in doing that," he added. "Our Government is approaching the task of ensuring that our traditional crafts do not die due to neglect. We have historically been blessed by a pool of talented craftsmen and today, by a growing and sophisticated world market for our products. However, what is lacking is the required marketing and trade infrastructure, brand-building and quality assurance. I hope the various organizations of Government, in New Delhi and in our States, will rise to the occasion to offer the support needed to give a new boost to our traditional and modern textiles sector. We must evolve strategies to guard against piracy. Both Government and business should work together to protect the intellectual property of our weavers, our artisans and our designers in the way that the developed world protects its products," Dr. Singh said. The mart represents a rare combination of grandeur and state-of- the-art facilities with the single purpose of making it preferred destination for international business, exhibitions, trade fairs and business meets in India.

   The IEC and M, created within a short span of 30 months on the lines of Trade Marts in Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas in US, Shanghai in China and Utrecht in Holland, is expected to be an international hub of business in handicrafts and other synergy products like handloom, silk, jute and carpets. The complex of the Centre and Mart has state-of-the-art facilities created with the single purpose of making it preferred destination for international business, exhibitions, trade fairs and business meets in India. The India Expo Centre and Mart is owned by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) company namely India Exposition Mart, promoted jointly by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority and exporters and manufacturers of handicrafts. The Handicraft and rural sector in India is predominantly concentrated in cottage and small-scale sector located at village and district levels all across the country. However, the IEC and M has been set up to as a permanent contact point throughout the year as physically and economically it was not possible for craft persons, artisans and producers to base themselves in metropolitan cities and also to travel overseas to promote their products.

   The India Expo Centre and Mart will have 900 permanent showrooms in the first phase, eight exhibition halls, facilities for conference, seminars, banquets, business centre, parking and warehouse. In the second phase, another 900 permanent show rooms will be made available. The permanent showrooms in the Centre and Mart is expected to display the entire range of handicrafts like decoratives, gifts, floor coverings, houseware, home accessories, fashion jewellery, fashion accessories in addition to products like silk, jute, handloom and carpets. Spread over an area of 2,35,000 sq. mtrs, the mart would represent a rare combination of grandeur and state-of-the-art facilities. The complex boasts of centrally air conditioned building, 100 percent power back up, 28 escalators, 30 passengers lifts and freight lifts and glass lifts, parking for 8000 cars and 200 trucks, elaborate fire-fighting system, video walls, and LED screens, lush green lawns, water bodies, fountains, signages and guiding system, all managed through an integrated building management system The India Exposition Mart, owner of India Expo Centre and Mart have taken the first ever initiative in this country to set up such an infrastructure dedicated exclusively to the handicrafts sector for round the clock international marketing and projecting as major hub for sourcing of merchandise by international buyers.

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