New Delhi, Aug 16: The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is in talks with leading Amercian companies who have expertise in trade marts for managerial tie-ups in its Rs 400 crore state-of-the-art exposition mart being set up in Greater Noida. "We are in advanced stage of talks with leading firms in America for managerial tie-ups in our mart whose first phase is expected to become operational by December next year," Rakesh Kumar, managing director of the Exposition mart, said.

He said the council had already generated Rs 35 crore from the trade and was also in talks with banks including SIDBI for raising another Rs 35 crore.
Cost of the first phase of the project is estimated to be around Rs 172 crore, he said, adding that a special purpose vehicle company under the title 'India Exposition Mart Ltd' has been set up for the speedy execution of the project.

"The main objective of setting up of the mart is to provide a permanent linkage and exposure to Indian exporters amongst the foreign buyers," he said.
The master plan of the mart provides 20,00,000 lakh sq ft which includes exhibition halls, exposition mart, restaurants, conference centre and other facilities. Bureau Report