The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), in partnership 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. This event took place from February 14th to 18th, 2026, at the India Expo Centre & Mart, Delhi. The program also featured a dedicated networking session in Mumbai focused on the Giftware & Lifestyle Products industry.

A delegation of 19 members, including representatives from Sri Lankan Giftware & Lifestyle product manufacturing companies, as well as officials from the EDB and the National Design Centre (NDC), participated in the program.

The Giftware & Lifestyle Products sector is crucial for channeling the creativity and entrepreneurial talent of Sri Lankan artisans into export-oriented production. With growing international demand for unique, high-quality, and niche products, this sector holds significant potential for earning foreign exchange and strengthening Sri Lanka’s export portfolio.

However, the industry faces several challenges, including limited exposure to international market trends and buyer requirements, insufficient continuous upgrading of design capabilities, a lack of technical know-how and entrepreneurial skills, and difficulties in translating traditional craftsmanship into modern, market-driven product concepts.

These constraints have limited many SMEs from accessing premium international and high-end domestic markets. Bridging this knowledge gap was a primary goal 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 their visit to the exhibition, Sri Lankan participants gained firsthand exposure to emerging global product and market trends, contemporary color and design directions, innovative product development techniques, sustainable and eco-friendly production practices, as well as packaging innovations and branding strategies.

The fair offered a comprehensive overview of how traditional craftsmanship can be transformed into contemporary, export-ready products. Participants observed how Indian manufacturers effectively 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. The Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai organized meetings with members of relevant Chambers and Associations, including the World Trade Centre Mumbai and the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industry & Agriculture (MACCIA). The World Trade Centre – Mumbai is India’s premier hub for global business networking, connecting enterprises to opportunities across 90 countries through the World Trade Centre’s Association (WTCA), while MACCIA is one of India’s pioneering industrialist associations, established to give Maharashtra’s entrepreneurs, traders, and agriculturists a strong collective voice.

Further, visits to handicrafts manufacturing sites were organized during the program to provide participants with hands-on exposure to production techniques, design development processes, and sustainable manufacturing practices.

This program 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.