The Hindu : New Delhi News : Corporate gifts go ethnic

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 07, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Corporate gifts go ethnic

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

NEW DELHI: Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Ashwini Kumar inaugurated a three-day exhibition of corporate gifts at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) auditorium here on Wednesday.

Organised by the FICCI Ladies' Organisation, a select group of 19 exhibitors are participating in the event that has on display products like handmade artefacts, leather goods, glassware, crystals, candles and stationery items.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr. Ashwini Kumar observed: "Rural artefacts coupled with the imaginative and innovative prowess of women entrepreneurs have found expression in the form of corporate gifts. They will boost the rural economy and connect urban India with people from the countryside who produce ethnic arts and crafts. Needless to say that it gives employment to thousands of people working in the sector.''

The Minister said there was also a huge domestic market for handicrafts and even in the international market there was a big scope and demand for ethnic Indian products. "The Government will give full support to women entrepreneurs,'' he added.

FICCI Ladies' Organisation president Mukta Nandini Jain said: "There is no doubt that the business of corporate gifts has taken its roots and in the next five years we will witness some massive growth in this sector. We urge the Government to support the women entrepreneurs in the area.''

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