The Hindu Business Line : Coir fair nets Rs 45-cr worth business

Good Business
There were trade enquires worth Rs 105 cr, which may materialise in the short- to medium-term.
This is sizable considering the fact that exports during 2006-07 was Rs 605.16 cr.

Our Bureau

Kochi, Dec. 17 Firm orders worth Rs 45 crore were realised through the participating buyers at the India International Coir Fair-2007 (IICF), which was organised by Coir Board last week.

There were trade enquires worth Rs 105 crore, which may materialise in the short- to medium-term, Mr A.C. Jose, Chairman, Coir Board, has said. These benefits accrued to a spectrum of the coir exporters and manufacturers.

This is sizable considering the fact that exports during 2006-07 was Rs 605.16 crore. The percentage of business that emerged in proportion to the existing business at IICF-2007 had resulted in an incremental business of 13.45 per cent, he said.

The fair, which had 75 stalls showcasing a variety of coir products, made the most of the visit of a delegation of 106 buyers from as many as 33 countries spanning all continents except Antarctica.

Serious buyers

There were about 100 local buyers serious about purchasing, and spot orders worth Rs 15 crore were placed; serious enquires to the tune of around Rs 35 core emerged.

There were exclusive pavilions put up by Khadi and Village Industries, Coconut Development Board, NSIC and other government departments.

According to the feedback received from them, the stalls were frequented by a large crowd on all the 5 days of the event.

Around 75, 000 visitors thronged the fair area. The inaugural, valedictory, curtain-raiser programmes and the Ravi Karunakaran Commemoration Lecture were well attended.