1. What exactly is the India Exposition Mart? What motivated you to have an exhibiting space specially dedicated to the cottage sectors and SME's exporting units?

India Exposition Mart is a hub for the importers and retail chains. It is India 's first International Mart that acts as a centralized contact point for buyers and sellers. The Mart offers a comprehensive range of facilities and can be quoted as a one-stop shop for Indian cottage goods. At the mart we have 900 exporters dealing in products ranging from Home Decor, Handicrafts, and Carpets to Floor Coverings, Leather Products, etc. We have 4 quality exhibition spaces for holding trade shows, where exhibitors can exhibit their products and develop new business opportunities. We had 5 shows since the mart began its operations and these shows have not only attracted the foreign buyers, but also catered to the Indian retail market.

When buyers come to India searching for exporters, they have three options: 1.They can visit the trade fair which is catering to their industry type. 2.They can contact the well-established exporters who are based in Metros. 3.They can ask exporters to come and visit them as and when they visit India.

In all the above cases, buyers may face few problems. In the first case, buyers may not be able to make it to the trade fair as they might be tied up with other commitments, or there are chances that they may not get a decent hotel booking during the show which also deters them from coming for the show. In the second case, when they visit Metros they may not be able to get variety of products to choose from, as individually, a buyer can meet up with few exporters during a visit. In the third case, the exporters may visit the buyers, but they may not be able to showcase their entire range of products, and in spite of spending on the whole trip that includes accommodation, transaction, etc., there are chances of the deal not being aterialized.

The answer to all these problems is India Exposition Mart, which takes care of all the above problems of buyers as well as exporters. It helps potential buyers and wholesalers to visit India at any time of the year to look for prospective suppliers. The Mart helps in reducing the inventory needs of buyers and makes Indian products even more attractive to the international buyers. It also provides international exposure and opportunity for the Indian exporter, as he can not only display his products in his showroom but also participate in the exhibitions happening at the Mart.

2. Have you received any support from the Government of India for the India Exposition Mart?

The Government was very impressed with our project and was keen for its growth and development as it largely benefits India's Foreign Trade and also provides SME's under Handicraft industry an opportunity to display their work and develop their market share. The Commerce Ministry extended its support by funding the project and various other ministries have also supported our cause and boosted our moral with their undivided attention.

3. Where do you see India's Handicraft Export Growth in the next 5 years?

India at present is doing just 1% of the total share of Export of Handicraft products. Indians not only have the potential to develop our productivity but also the potential to increase our share by 4 times. To work on these two aspects, the Government and Exporters & Manufacturers have to work together to achieve our well deserved share in the global Handicraft Exports. We need to project handicraft products as a brand and develop the demand by planning shows, exhibitions and conferences to create awareness about Indian quality and creativity. Keeping this in mind, we have planned to do more shows at India Exposition Mart, which will attract good number of buyers to do more business with Indian SMEs. Even India's domestic market has grown tremendously. These retail chains can also be targeted to assist the growth of the Handicraft sector.

4. Exporters complain that India Exposition Mart is not cost effective which makes it a distant dream for SME Exporters?

India Exposition Mart was conceptualized as the missing piece in the complex jigsaw puzzle of export of products manufactured by the cottage industry of India. It is not only cost effective but also provides international exposure and opportunity for the Indian exporter at a well-equipped world class facility. An exporter needs to pay while booking his showroom, which not only becomes a permanent showroom for an exporter where they can display their products during all the 365 days in a year, but also they are not required to pay more for participating in various exhibitions taking place at the Mart. For a showroom covering an area of 24 sq mt, they need to pay Rs. 13 lakh. So, basically with a payment of Rs 13 lakh once, they get a permanent showroom plus free participation during the exhibitions and various other add ons.

5. The Government plans of tripling the Indian handicrafts by 2009-10. Do you feel India will be able to reach the target of Rs 39,000 crore by 2010?

The target can be met by our sector by 2010. Various loopholes, which are holding our growth of reaching to our defined target, needs to be tackled by our Government and our exporters. The Government is also required to provide assistance to our sector so as to convert it as a brand to reckon with. Once our industry establishes itself as a brand, invariably it will attract buyers from all over the globe. Thus, we all need to create a brand first and then market ourselves as a one stop shop for handicraft goods.

6. This year India Exposition Mart's first fair - Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (Spring) 2006 generated business worth Rs 1,200 crore. Do you think it gave enough competition to Pragati Maidan?

We wont consider Indian Exposition Mart as a competitor of Pragati Maidan. Pragati Maidan is like a big brother to our Mart. The success of Indian Handicrafts and Gifts Fair (Spring) 2006 was all due to our hard work and dedication. Our exporters went out of the way to make the Fair a grand success. We have state of the art facilities including exhibition areas, the exposition mart, a conference centre, a hotel, restaurants, a helipad and several other business and logistics services. We have tried to change the language of import and export for the Indian cottage products, gifts and home decor sector.

7. Why is the Handicraft sector solely targeted? Do you foresee a great future for them, or you feel with the right kind of exposure that they can help the Government earn more revenue?

India Exposition Mart is not dedicated to the Handicraft sector only. In the 1st and 2nd phase, we had targeted sectors like carpet, handloom, silk and jute products, and Handicraft products.In the 3rd phase, we want to target Synergic Handicraft products like leather, plastic, steel, etc. With the introduction of Synergic handicraft products, we will be able to complete all home needs.

Overall, we plan to improve the standing of our cottage sector and generate business and opportunity for their growth, while providing the buyers a good choice and convert our industry as a brand.

8. What is your understanding of cluster development projects?

Cluster development projects will reap benefits for the Government and the clusters; however, a firm infrastructure is required to support its success. With the development of infrastructure, they will be able to attract the world market collectively. The Finance Ministry, including other Ministries should take proper initiatives to build the necessary infrastructure and work on the marketing aspect of these clusters. The India Exposition Mart's success itself says about collective effort.