The four-day fair is being organized by Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts.

Addressing on the occasion, Elangovan said "We need to develop new, innovative items to compete in the International Market besides upgrading design and technology to boost handicraft exports.

" The Indian handicrafts are worst affected in the world market and the exports, which was rising every year, declined by more than 40 per cent in 2008-09. He said that the Government has announced an economic stimulus for the handicrafts sector so that livelihood of millions of artisans can be maintained," he added.

Buyers from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay will be attending the fair. IHGF will further generate new ideas, techniques and upgradation of existing technologies through a series of seminars where experts in the field of handicrafts, textiles, finance and trade shall participate and exchange their views through topics of interest to the exporting and buying community.

The fair is also now recognized as "One stop most authentic sourcing event for all crafts from India" by overseas buying community.