Breaking News
Natasha
Natasha
Feb 26 2026
28The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi and the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai, successfully organized an Exposure/Study Tour for Sri Lankan SMEs to the 61st IHGF Delhi Fair Spring 2026, held from 14th to 18th February 2026 at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Delhi. The programme also included a dedicated networking session in Mumbai for the Giftware & Lifestyle Products industry.
A 19-member delegation comprising representatives from Sri Lankan Giftware & Lifestyle product manufacturing companies, along with officials from the EDB and the National Design Centre (NDC), participated in the programme.
The Giftware & Lifestyle Products sector plays a vital role in channeling the creativity and entrepreneurial talents of Sri Lankan artisans into export-oriented production. With increasing international demand for distinctive, high-quality, and niche products, the sector holds significant potential for earning foreign exchange and strengthening Sri Lanka’s export portfolio.
However, the industry continues to face several challenges, including: limited exposure to international market trends and buyer requirements, insufficient continuous upgrading of design capabilities, lack of technical know-how and entrepreneurial skills, gaps in translating traditional craftsmanship into modern, market-driven product concepts
These constraints have restricted many SMEs from entering premium international and high-end domestic markets. Addressing this knowledge gap was a key objective of the study tour.
The IHGF Delhi Fair is India’s premier trade exhibition for handicrafts, home décor, gifts, and lifestyle products. Recognized as India’s largest sourcing platform, the fair connects artisan producers with global buyers and serves as a “one-stop sourcing destination” for innovative and trend-driven products.
During the visit to the exhibition, Sri Lankan participants gained firsthand exposure to emerging global product and market trends, contemporary colour and design directions, innovative product development techniques, sustainable and eco-friendly production practices, packaging innovations and branding approaches.
The fair provided a comprehensive overview of how traditional craftsmanship can be transformed into contemporary, export-ready products. Participants observed how Indian manufacturers successfully integrate modern design elements, sustainability practices, and strong branding strategies into their offerings.
In addition to the exhibition visit, the delegation engaged in business networking sessions in both New Delhi and Mumbai. Participants had the opportunity to meet potential buyers, distributors, and industry stakeholders, enabling them to explore new market opportunities and initiate discussions on possible collaborations and export orders.
The networking session in Mumbai further facilitated interactions with key players in the Giftware & Lifestyle products sector, creating a platform for knowledge exchange, partnership development, and market intelligence sharing. Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai has organized meetings with members of the relevant Chambers, Associations including World Trade Centre Mumbai and Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA). World trade Center – Mumbai is the India’s premier hub for global business networking, connecting enterprises to opportunities across 90 countries through the World Trade Centre’s Association (WTCA) and MACCIA is one of India’s pioneering industrialists association, created to give Maharashtra’s entrepreneurs, traders, and agriculturists a strong collective voice.
Further, visits to handicrafts manufacturing sites were also organized during the programme to provide participants with hands-on exposure to production techniques, design development processes, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
The programme marks another strategic initiative by the EDB to strengthen Sri Lanka’s Giftware & Lifestyle Products sector by bridging knowledge gaps and promoting global market integration.
Through continued exposure, design development, and international networking, Sri Lankan SMEs are better positioned to transform their unique craftsmanship into globally competitive, value-added export products.
Source: Adaderana
