Building an ecosystem around Indian enterprise
A conversation on Bharat Tex, the evolution of IEML and the institutions that help smaller businesses reach international markets.
Exhibition Showcase
A LIFE DEDICATED TO INDIAN ENTERPRISE
Dr. Rakesh
Kumar.
Building institutions.
Opening global opportunities.
Connecting India’s artisans, entrepreneurs and industries to the world—through trade, exhibitions and a shared belief in collective progress.
CHAIRMAN
India Exposition Mart Ltd.DIRECTOR GENERAL · CHIEF MENTOR
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
India Exposition Mart Ltd.DIRECTOR GENERAL · CHIEF MENTOR
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
VISIONINTO
ACTION.
A journey shaped by people. A vision built for India.
1986A journey in handicraft
export promotion begins
export promotion begins
1994Indian Handicrafts &
Gifts Fair established
Gifts Fair established
2006India Expo Centre & Mart
opens its doors
Explore theopens its doors
milestones ↗
THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE PROGRESS
From the hands
of artisans.
To the world.
A career built around one enduring purpose: creating opportunity for the people and enterprises behind India’s craftsmanship.
From the early years of EPCH to the creation of India Expo Centre & Mart, Dr. Rakesh Kumar’s work brings market access, skills, design and infrastructure into a connected story.
His leadership has helped turn collective ambition into institutions that serve exporters, small businesses and the wider exhibition industry.
Meet Dr. Rakesh KumarLEADERSHIP IN ACTION
Ideas that became institutions.
01 / INSTITUTION BUILDINGA permanent home
A permanent home
for global ambition.
India Expo Centre & Mart
↗02 / GLOBAL MARKET ACCESSTaking Indian enterprise
Progress begins with
Bringing sectors together.
Taking Indian enterprise
across borders.
EPCH · IHGF · Expo Bazaar
03 / PEOPLE & CAPABILITIESProgress begins with
the people who make it.
Skills · Design · Artisan welfare
04 / INDUSTRY PLATFORMSBringing sectors together.
Moving opportunity forward.
Bharat Tex · UP International Trade Show
IN THE NEWS
Conversations. Coverage. Recognition.
Bringing the hospitality industry together at IHE 2026
Dr. Rakesh Kumar joined industry leaders for the opening of the ninth India International Hospitality Expo in Greater Noida.
India International Hospitality Expo
The IHGF journey: a milestone 60th edition
At the Autumn 2025 curtain raiser, Dr. Kumar reflected on the fair’s development as a meeting place for Indian manufacturers and international buyers.
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts
“
Working for the sector, working for SMEs and creating opportunities for businesses to grow.
DR. RAKESH KUMAR IN CONVERSATION WITH EXHIBITION SHOWCASE · AUGUST 2026
Read the interviewBIMTECH · RESEARCHCollective
Collective
ownership.
An Expo Mart for the exporter,
by the exporter.
A LEADERSHIP STORY, STUDIED
When shared ownership
becomes shared progress.
How do you turn the ambition of a community of exporters into a lasting institution? A published case study by Anuj Sharma of BIMTECH examines the decisions, relationships and determination behind Expo Mart.
Explore the published case study International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management,Vol. 21, Nos. 2/3, pp. 116–128 (2021).
THE MEDIA DESK
Everything you need
to tell the story.
Biographies, portraits, background resources and a direct route for interviews and speaking invitations.
Open the media kit