During a recent event a senior official of AEPC was asking for more funds from the Textile Ministry for BSMs, as according to him they have proved critical in developing business, but on the other side the reality is very different as industry is getting more and more disheartened with these events. The BSMs at the Apparel House and the recent one held in South Africa have in particular attracted the wrath of the participants. The members are asking for compensation and improvement in further endeavours, but according to the participants of such BSMs, the height of disappointment is that nobody from AEPC is ready to even answer the queries put forward after the event.
The 20-odd participants to the BSM in South Africa claim that they were sitting totally idle in this ‘abysmal’ BSM and that most of these so-called buyers did not even have a registered company. They are demanding that AEPC answer about the marketing activities carried out for such BSM. And as claimed by some, AEPC had actually decided to scrap future trade fairs in Johannesburg and not informed the exporter fraternity about the same. Not only that, there is no information sharing with media regarding these BSMs which itself creates questions on the authenticity. Exporters also raised objections regarding the organization of two events on parallel dates in South America and South Africa. Small- and medium-level exporters claim loss of minimum Rs. 5 lakh on travelling, hotel, etc. in a single BSM, just because it was an unsuccessful exhibition.
Exporters are also asking to reduce the number of AEPC officials who travel to these meets. It is also surprising to know that AEPC is not taking full help and support from Indian consulates for such events. Detail for all the efforts done for the promotion for the fair and responsible agencies for the same are also being demanded. According to official data of AEPC, in fiscal 2014-15 it has plan to organize or take part in total 28 such events in India as well as abroad, and that total cost of the programme is Rs. 48 crore.
