The first Rajasthan International Expo (RIE) will begin at Jodhpur from March 20. The three-day aims to provide an opportunity to the handicraft exports of the state to showcase their products at the global level.
The expo will prove a milestone in the exports of handicraft products from wooden and iron furniture to textiles, agro to food products, ceramics to other products, state Industries and Commerce Minister Shakuntala Rawat told a joint presser here on Saturday.
“Jodhpur is called the Handicraft Capital of India. Handicraft items related to wooden, iron exported from Jodhpur all over the country will be on display”, she said.
Recently, the Central government has approved a special assistance of Rs 95 crore for capacity expansion of the previously operated inland container depot in Jodhpur, she informed.
Rajeev Arora, chairman of the Rajasthan Small Industries Corporation (RAJSICO) and the Rajasthan Export Promotion Council (REPC) said altogether 95 buyers from 17 countries mainly from the USA, the UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Sweden, Thailand, Netherlands, Colombia, Mexico, Ghana, Sudan, Senegal, Egypt, Bolivia, Uganda and Albania will participate in the expo, live workshops and seminars.
Around 145 exhibitors from major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Kota, Barmer, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jaisalmer, Alwar, Churu, Chaumu, etc. are participating in the expo. These exhibitors belong to handicrafts, textiles, agro and food products, metals and non-ferrous, leather products, engineering, carpets, jams and jewelry, dimensional stones, banks, and various trade associations.
During the inaugural ceremony, export awards will be conferred on exporters selected by the Export Award Committee. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will formally inaugurate the expo on March 21. Foreign delegates including ambassadors, high commissioners, and other dignitaries from eight countries are coming to participate in the RIE.