Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 49th India Carpet Expo and the 4th International Carpet Fair at the Carpet Expo Mart,
Bhadohi, October 11, 2025 Bhadohi as a globally recognized industrial hub; says opportunities abound amid challenges
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the 49th India Carpet Expo and the 4th International Carpet Fair at the Carpet Expo Mart,
Bhadohi, on Saturday.Addressing the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister said, “The handicraft industry is the economic strength of India. The dream of making India a global power is incomplete without this sector. Though global participation had declined after independence, India’s international presence has been rising steadily under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”Calling Bhadohi “not a small, but a major industrial center,” he congratulated all entrepreneurs and organizers for successfully hosting the carpet fair. He added, “There may be challenges at the global level, but within these challenges lie immense opportunities. We must prepare our export sector to face them, and the government is fully committed to supporting these efforts.”Highlighting the strong MSME base in the state, the Chief Minister shared that 9.6 million small industries are registered in Uttar Pradesh, directly or indirectly supporting around 10 crore people and 2 crore families. He announced that a high-level committee has been constituted to address tariff-related challenges and recommend relief measures for the industry.During the event, Chief Minister Adityanath interacted with carpet entrepreneurs and weavers. Prominent exporters including Ravi Patodia, Piyush Baranwal, Anil Singh, Suryamani Tiwari, Haji Habib, and Adarsh Purnima shared their views with him.In the welcome address, Dr. Vinod Bind, Member of Parliament from Bhadohi, expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s visit and stated that under his leadership, the state is progressing rapidly, with industries growing swiftly. He added that the Chief Minister has always shown deep interest in the carpet sector and continuously seeks updates regarding its development.Mr. Kuldeep R. Wattal, Chairman of the Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC), remarked that the Chief Minister’s presence reflects the government’s strong commitment to the carpet industry. He added, “While the sector faces certain global challenges, relief measures are essential until the industry develops new international markets.”The event saw participation from a large number of buyers, exporters, and entrepreneurs from India and abroad. The Chief Minister also visited the exhibition area, reviewed the displayed carpets and handmade products, and praised Bhadohi’s artisans for their exceptional craftsmanship.Dignitaries on stage included Mrs. Amrit Raj, Development Commissioner (Handicrafts); Mr. Anirudh Tripathi, District Panchayat Chairman; Mr. Dinanath Bhaskar, MLA Aurai; Mr. Vipul Dubey, MLA Gyanpur; Mr. Deepak Mishra, BJP District President; and Mr. Nagendra Raghuvanshi, BJP District In-Charge.At 3:00 p.m., Mrs. Neelam Shami Rao, Textile Secretary, Government of India, lit the ceremonial lamp and released the Fair Directory, followed by a tour of the exhibition. She was accompanied by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Mrs. Amrit Raj.Speaking to media representatives after the ceremony, Mrs. Rao mentioned that the fair, organized with the support of the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), has proved to be a great success after four years of consistent effort. She observed that new product innovations and yarn developments presented here would benefit the Mirzapur–Bhadohi belt as well as other regions of India. She noted that at least five major foreign importers attended this year’s fair, including a large delegation from the United States, reflecting robust international confidence in Indian craftsmanship and quality.She further added that the Textiles Ministry is working on establishing an appropriate HSN code framework for both handmade and machine-made carpets to ensure the industry’s requirements are effectively addressed. CEPC expressed optimism that this edition of the fair would significantly strengthen India’s position in the global carpet market.A total of 155 exhibitors participated in the expo, while 442 importers from 67 countries registered for the event. Among them, CEPC extended a special hospitality package to 200 selected buyers. On the opening day, 128 foreign importers and 121 buying representatives visited the fair.The success of the expo was made possible under the leadership of CEPC Chairman Mr. Kuldeep R. Wattal, Fair Committee Convener Mr. Wasif Ansari, and members of the Administrative Committee — Anil Kumar Singh, Aslam Mahboob, Piyush Baranwal, Imtiaz Ahmad, Raja Sharma, Hussain Jafar Hussaini, Mahaveer Pratap Sharma, Bodh Raj Malhotra, Deepak Khanna, Meraj Yaseen Jaan, Ravi Patodia, Sanjay Gupta, Shaukat Khan, Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad, Suryamani Tiwari, and Rohit Gupta — for their sustained contributions to the industry’s growth.Acting Executive Director Dr. Smita Nagarkoti stated, “The expo serves as a vital platform for increasing India’s participation in global markets, and exporters are effectively utilizing it to enhance their outreach.”Would you like me to create a short 250–300 word version of this press release tailored for quick publication in newspapers or trade portals?
