HONGKONG HOUSEWARE FAIR 2006 HELD AT HONGKONG FROM 21^ST TO 24^TH APRIL, 2006 .

In its efforts to increase the market share of Indian handwoven products in the world market, HEPC has identified Hong Kong as one of the focus markets. Hong Kong 's role in the international trade scenario continues to prosper as it has experienced a 12% surge in exports in 2004 and maintained the momentum in 2005, exporting houseware items to the tune of US $21.97 billion. The Chinese Mainland, Japan , Germany , U.S.A. , and U.K. remain the largest market for Hong Kong .

HEPC has therefore, taken part in the 20 th edition of Hong Kong Houseware Fair held during last year i.e. April 2005 with 10 member exporters, as this fair has acclaimed a well-established reputation as Asia 's foremost sourcing event. Based on the profound success achieved through its maiden participation during 2005, HEPC has decided to activate its efforts to further strengthen the market share and the following steps were taken prior to the 21 st edition of the Hong Kong Houseware Fair held at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, at Hong Kong from 21-24 April 2006.

1. To create the brand image of Indian Hand wovens, a Catalogue Show was arranged at the office premises of Consulate General of India Hong Kong, from 27-4-06 to 31-4-05 in which the product catalogues of our member exporters, who would be participating in 21 st edition of Hong Kong Houseware Fair to be held during 2006 were displayed.
   
2. The Consul (Commercial) of Consulate General of India, Hong Kong, has sent personal invitations to all the important buyers in Hong Kong highlighting the details of the catalogue show.
   
3. As a special promotion, HEPC has released advertisements in English as well as in Chinese leading newspapers viz. Apple Daily & South China Morning Post, on 21 st and 22 nd April 2006, coinciding the fair dates.
   
4. The list of importers has been obtained from Consul (Commercial), and the same was sent to all the participants, to enable them to send personal invitation to visit their stalls during the fair.
   
5. For the first time, HEPC has taken a raw space and constructed the “Indian Handwovens Pavilion”, which has become a basic platform to showcase the various products of handloom products crafted by our Indian weavers.
   
6. Smt. Sripriya Ranganathan, Consul (Commercial), Consulate General of India, Hong Kong , has visited the fair, on all the four days, and coordinated the visit of some of the buyers invited by Consul General of India Office.

Consequent on our efforts to promote the brand image of our Indian Handwovens, 21 member exporters have opted to participate the current event, and their names are as follow: -

The display of the handloom products ranging from table linen, kitchen linen, bed linen, toilet linen, curtains, cushions, Floor coverings and other fashion accessories by our member exporters has offered a visual entertainment of the whole range of home textile products to the buyers to choose the products of their own choice.

Nearly 2300 exhibitors hailing from Australia, the Chinese Mainland, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, U.S.A., Turkey and Vietnam have participated in this Fair.

As per the report received from our member participants, nearly 852 buyers hailing from Argentina, Mexico, Russia, U.S.A., U.K. Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, China, Slovenia, Romania, Spain, South Africa, Australia, Italy, Brazil, Israel, U.A.E., Japan, Lebanon etc. have visited the stalls, and spot orders booked by them are to the tune of Rs. 2.51 crores, apart from the concrete enquires to the tune of Rs. 8.36 crores.

All the members participated through HEPC and other known visitors have expressed their happiness over the projection of “Indian Handwovens” in a befitting manner creating a brand image for our handloom products in the buyers' perception.

Shri G. Mathi vathanan, Executive Director, has coordinated the participation of member exporters during the fair.