Mr. Rakesh Kumar is Post Graduate in Public Administration and International Foreign Trade.

Mr. Kumar conceptualized India’s first state of the art infrastructure for Exhibition and Mart at Greater Noida and currently holding the position of Chairman of the India Exposition Mart Limited popularly known as India Expo centre & Mart.  Major shows, Exhibitions and conferences like Auto Expo, Printpack, Asian Development bank (ADB) and FDI World Dental Congress are now being organised in this complex.

Mr. Kumar is also Chief Executive Officer (Director General) of most premier Export Promotion Trade Organisation in India, having membership of more than 10,000 member exporters. Mr. Kumar conceptualized the need of traceability requirement of Timber legality of wooden handicrafts exporters and introduced “VRIKSH” as its standard which is accepted by UN International organisation “CITES” for 186 countries.

To give an identity to the services of buying agents & buying houses, Mr. Kumar initiated and formed “The Buying Agents Association” (BAA) on 14th July, 2016 and He served as 1^st Chairman of BAA.

In September’ 2018 He was elected as Governing Board Members of The Council of EU Chambers of Commerce in India. Mr. Kumar is also the Immediate Past President of Indian Exhibition Industry Association (IEIA). Post Graduate in Public Administration and International Foreign Trade Mr. Kumar, has wide experience of working with SME’s especially export promotion enterprises for more than 30 years.

In recognition of his services as instrumental in establishing & enhancing trade with Japan, the Japanese Government conferred JETRO’S COMMENDATION AWARD for International exposure to Japan and Mr. Kumar was 1^st Indian to receive this distinction’

Mr. Kumar started world renowned Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair in 1994 which is visited by over 10,000 overseas volume business buyers for sourcing and about 2,750 exhibitors from all over India participate in the same. The fair is recognised as ‘World’s largest congregation of handicrafts exhibitors under one roof’ by Limca Book of World Records.

He is also instrumental in organizing Product specific shows like Home Expo and Indian Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Show (IFJAS) at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida. Mr. Kumar is key architect for setting up of several important organisation in India such as setting up of National Centre for Design & Product Development (NCDPD) in New Delhi for design and product development.

Also instrumental in creation of Handicrafts & Carpet Sector Skill Council (HCSSC) to bridge the skill gap in the handicrafts & carpet sector and provide over 2 million skilled manpower, currently holding the position of Executive member of HCSSC board.

He has been awarded Safari India South Asia Travel Award in individual category being  “the best Professional in MICE” towards his contribution to conceive, implement and run successfully state-of-the art exhibition centre called India Exposition Mart Ltd (IEML) at Greater Noida and also his overall contribution towards promoting exhibition Industry. He is Awarded as  “THE IRON MAN” of The Exhibition Industry For 2016 at  Exhibition Excellence Awards, “Best MICE person” of the year in 14th Annual International Hospitality and Travel Awards 2018, SUPER ACHIEVER AWARD for his contribution to the Handicrafts sector by Indiasgreatest.com and ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his tremendous contribution to the handicrafts sector during the ‘Handicraft Summit’ organised by the ‘Handicrafts Exporters Association’

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