Exim Bank brings together 80 artisans from more than 20 states of India to Delhi
Shri. M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, along with the Managing Director of India Exim Bank, Ms. Harsha Bangari inaugurated the 10th edition of ‘Exim Bazaar’ at the Dilli Haat - INA, New Delhi today. The Bazaar, organised by India Exim Bank, will showcase traditional and contemporary handmade art and craft products from across the country, from February 17 to 28, 2026.
The exhibition assumes significance as it aims to support local, home-grown artisans from various states. Shri. M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, interacted with artisans from across the country. During his interactions, he acknowledged the challenges which were faced by the artisans and how Exim Bank’s interventions have helped in mitigating them, enabling better livelihoods and job creation, primarily in the rural sector. He also congratulated Exim Bank for supporting the handicrafts and handlooms sector, through financial and market access support, capacity building and skill development of the grassroots enterprises.
In her address, Ms. Harsha Bangari said, “We are happy to bring together 80 artisans from all over the country to this 10th milestone edition of Exim Bazaar. It is inspiring for us to see such a positive response for the artisans from the people of Delhi NCR. It also reflects the interest which the people in the state have in the local arts of the country. The Exim Bazaar is organized by the India Exim Bank with an objective to boost business prospects for many individual artisans as well as micro & grassroots enterprises. The exhibition provides wider visibility and brand promotion for the artisans to market their products. This gives them access to direct customers and generate future sales leads, as well as understanding consumer preferences, improve industry knowledge and discover latest trends. This initiative is a part of the Bank’s more than a decade long intervention with the grassroots sector.”
Highlighting the impact, Ms. Bangari said, “India’s handicrafts sector occupies a special position in India’s economic and cultural landscape. It is inspired by the diverse traditions, beliefs, and heritage. Importantly, it is also a vital source of employment, sustaining millions of livelihoods across the country. This is also a sector significantly driven by women, with over half of India’s 68.86 lakh artisans being women. This highlights the sector’s major contribution to fostering inclusivity, empowering women, and uplifting rural and tribal communities. Indian handicrafts have also carved a strong presence in global markets. In FY 2024–25, India’s handicraft exports reached US$ 1.8 billion, with the USA, UAE, UK, the Netherlands, and Germany being some of the key export destinations.”
Exim Bank as a responsible financial institution continues its handholding support by conducting design, product, and educative workshops for the artisans during this period. This Exim Bazaar is in continuation of such initiatives, thereby helping to provide a platform for the artisans to exhibit and sell their offerings. This ongoing Exim Bazaar at Delhi has seen participation of artisans and weavers from across the country, exhibiting their diverse range of skills, talents, and techniques, with many being national and state awardees
Art forms such as Madhubani paintings, leather puppetry, Warli paintings, Pichwai paintings, Pattachitra and Phad paintings, Banarasi silk fabrics, Kawad paintings, ceramic blue pottery, Dokra art, terracotta, Jamdani sarees among others are on display and available for sale at this exhibition. Exim Bazaar, an exhibition-cum-sale of handmade arts and crafts of India curated by Exim Bank, has come to Dilli Haat – INA, Delhi for the first time since its inception.
Exim Bank hopes that this event will boost business prospects for many individual artisans as well as micro & grassroots enterprises. With the footprint of thousands of visitors, this exhibition would provide wider visibility and brand promotion for the artisans to market their products. This would give them access to direct customers and generate future sales leads, as well as understanding consumer preferences, improving industry knowledge and discovering latest trends.
Exim Bank assists artisans, master craftsmen, weavers, clusters, self-help groups, grassroots and micro enterprises through capacity building and sourcing overseas buyers / distributors, under its Grassroots Initiatives and Development (GRID) and Marketing Advisory Services (MAS) programmes. The assistance under these programmes has enabled financial empowerment, employment generation, promotion of entrepreneurship among individual artisans, and ensuring the survival and sustenance of centuries-old traditional handicraft and handloom products.
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