The Hindu Business Line : Kochi coir fair from tomorrow

Kochi, Dec. 5 India International Coir Fair-2007, organised by Coir Board, will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here from December 7 to 11.

This is the biggest showcasing of coir and coir products to an international audience and the relevant stake holders of the coir industry.

The mega event is aimed at creating a platform for the coir industry to expand its overseas niche markets and thereby generate high business volumes and create further avenues for business alliances.

IICF will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanthan, in the presence of Mr Mahabir Prasad, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises; the Union Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Jairam Ramesh; and Mr G. Sudharakaran, State Minister for Coir.

Good response

IICF has received overwhelming response from the trade and industry.

There are 108 stalls of which 75 stalls will be for coir and coir based products and the rest for Khadi and Village industries, NSIC and Coconut Development Board.

The organisers are also bringing in rural tribal engaged in the making if handicrafts from Orissa for live demonstration.

Craftsmen from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa are also participating

Over 100 buyers from countries almost 40 countries such as the US, the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Poland, Dubai, Australia, the Netherlands, and Uruguay are participating at IICF 2007.

IICF will also see the participation of leading buying houses from India.

The highlight of the event will be an international Seminar comprising of various technical sessions pertaining to the coir industry, targeted at coir professionals, technologists, businessmen, buyers, sellers, manufacturers, agricultural scientists etc.

The forum would address major issues relating to the existing challenges, emerging trends, business opportunities, prevalent in the coir industry and seek solutions for the same.