EVTEKS 2006, HELD AT ISTANBUL, TURKEY, FROM 17^th TO 21 ^st MAY, 2006 .

HEPC has organised the participation of the following 6 exporters in the 12 th edition of EVTEKS 2006, held in Istanbul , Turkey , between 17 th – 21 st May 2006.

In addition to the above exporters, HEPC also has put-up a Central Promotional Stall. 5 exhibitors had their stalls in Hall No.3, and 1 exhibitor viz. M/s. Nandini Fabrics, Karur, & HEPC's Central Promotional Stall were in Hall No.10. Halls 1 to 8 were in front end (all located adjacent to each other), and Halls 9 & 10 were at the rear end located far away from the main halls (i.e. 1-8)

It may be noted that earlier in 2004, HEPC has participated in this fair and due to coordination problems faced with the organizers, HEPC did not repeat the participation in 2005. As the exporters were evincing their keen interest to participate, the Executive Director of HEPC had met the fair organizers of EVTEKS at Frankfurt during Heimtextil Frankfurt – 2006, and requested them for space and cooperation for our participation. Due to the goodwill generated out of that meeting and due to subsequent efforts, the fair authorities have allotted us space of 109 sq. mtrs though they had a waiting list of over 300 exhibitors.

The previous fair i.e. EVTEKS 2005 had 650 exhibitors out of which 60 were foreign exhibitors and 1,20,000 visitors visited the fair, out of which 15,000 were foreign visitors. This year there were 22 exporters from India out of which 6 were from HEPC, and 6 through SRTEPC, and the rest directly.

About 700 exporters have exhibited their products in 10 halls. The turnout of business visitors was very good.

EVTEKS is the 2 nd largest exclusive Home textile fair in the world, next to Heimtextil Frankfurt. This fair has a few unique advantages which other fairs, including Heimtextil Frankfurt fair lack.

There are no other established fairs in the world without Chinese participation. This is fully to the advantage of India and we should try to capitalize this.

All the participants were happy about their participation in this fair. As per the feedback given by them, 598 number of serious buyers visited our 6 stalls during the 5 day fair, and spot orders worth US$ 5,80,000 are booked, and enquires worth minimum US$ 9,25,000 were made, which may ultimately lead to concrete orders. On an average each participant had nearly 100 visitors, which is a significant number when compared to other home textile fairs. All of them wanted to repeat their participation and also to increase their stall size.

HEPC should try to get more space preferably raw space in bulk, either in Hall No. 3 or 4, and construct Indian Handwovens Pavilion. The assistance of Consul General of India, Istanbul should be availed of if required to impress upon the fair organizers to give us more space i.e. at least 250 sq. mtrs.

Shri G. Mathi vathanan, I.A.S, Executive Director of the Council who had coordinated the event has called on the Consul General of India at Istanbul , Shri Praveen Verma, at his office, and on the request made by the Executive Director, the Consul General he visited the fair and interacted with our exporters. The Executive Director had also conveyed his desire to increase the size of Indian participation in the coming years, and to create Indian Pavilion, and requested him to take up our cause with the authorities concerned. He was kind enough to agree to take up the matter with the higher authorities of the fair in this regard.

The Executive Director had also discussed this with Ms. Nur Ogutcu, International Sales Manager of EVTEKS fair, who said that by September 2006, the floor plan will be ready for the next year, and by then they will be in a position to confirm our requirement. The next EVTEKS fair i.e. EVTEKS 2007 will be held from 16 th – 20 th May 2006.