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Our Bureau

Kochi, Nov. 11 The Grand Kerala Shopping Festival 2007, which will be held in 14 districts of the State from December 1 to January 15, will mainly focus on marketing regional products.

Inaugurating the registration of participants for the festival in Kochi, the State Industries Minister, Mr Elamaram Kareem, said the objective of the 45-day festival is to create demand for traditional Kerala crafts and handicrafts including handlooms, coir and Aranmula mirror in the world market at reasonable prices.

The Government is also organising a spice fair in Idukki and Wayanad, cashew fair in Kollam, coir fair in Alappuzha and handloom fair in Kannur in connection with the festival.

He said that manufacturers of these traditional products would benefit from the festival considering the ensuing tourism season in the State. The fair should be clubbed with tourism so that both the sectors benefit from the programme, he said.

The aim of the Government by organising the fair is to make Kerala an important shopping destination. The festival is not a government programme and it is the festival of businessmen, he added.

The Minister also emphasised the need for improving existing infrastructure, including roads before the commencement of the shopping festival.

Mr T. Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Industries Department, highlighted the need for hard work in this era of competition. About 1,000 shops in Kochi have registered for the shopping event. He said that lucky dip coupons would be given to customers purchasing goods for more than Rs 1,000.

Prizes worth Rs 10 crore will be given to the winners of the draw. Prizes include luxury cars, apartments and holiday packages.

More Stories on : Events | Shopping | Kerala

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