Varanasi :
The 28th Indian Carpet Expo, organised by Carpet Expert Promotion Council, will start from October 10 to 13 at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University (SSU) in Varanasi under the aegis of Union ministry of commerce.
Manufacturers from Varanasi, Bhadohi, Panipat, Mirzapur, Jaipur, Srinagar and Agra will exhibit wide range of hand-knitted, tufted carpets and floor coverings at the expo. The event provides an opportunity for traders to directly deal with buyers. The organisers would offer reimbursement of $500 for return air-ticket as well as free accommodation for two nights for potential buyers.
The guest of honour would be SSU vice-chancellor Prithvish Nag and textiles secretary Sanjay Kumar Panda will inaugurate the event. Around 400 carpet importers from 57 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Russia, Germany, Britain and US are expected to participate. Buyers from countries like Bulgaria, Malaysia, Israel, Mauritius, Thailand and other 14 countries would also attend the expo.
Ex-Chairman Siddhant Singh said, “The rate of exports have increased and currently we have reached Rs 7,010 crores witnessing around 21% growth. Priorities have also been given to women in handicrafts and in the coming two years the growth rate is expected to cross 50%.”
He further alleged, “The present government might be better in other aspects but in terms of banking they are relatively slow. I also wish to inform that the UP government is not co-operative in terms of providing us space to organize the expo.”
CEPC Chairman, Kuldeep R Wattal complained about space for organising the expo, he said, “It would have been better if the vent was held in Sanskrit Shankul which is far-stretched as compared to the Sanskrit University.” He highlighted the problems associated in conducting the expo and said, “The interest rates are around 12% but since April, the interest submension is not fixed which used to be around 3%. On the other hand, the service tax is around 12.50% but even this is being overlooked by the government. As far as the appeal for Krishi Udyog is concerned, the government is still in doldrums about it.”
He further added that, “Prime motive behind holding Carpet Expo in Varanasi is to provide business opportunities to all the carpet buyers. We wish to make sure that the carpet importers and manufacturer-exporters are equipped with proper business environment.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / October 09th, 2014