Trade and commerce exhibitions help boost industrial growth in the region by providing a platform for buyers and sellers to meet, according to A. Tamilarasi, Minister for Adi Dravidar Welfare Addressing the inaugural function of the 25th edition of Ideal Home Exhibition organised annually by Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA), she said that these expos also provide useful gadgets for reducing the burden of home makers.
She said that the Ideal Home expo featured around 300 stalls housed in nine bays, some of which are air-conditioned. It has also featured exclusive stalls for Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and for self-help groups.
While lauding the efforts of KVIC through its schemes such as Prime Minister ’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), the Minister urged the officials to create more awareness in rural areas. Many areas in her Constituency, Ms. Tamilarasi said, were educated and yet remained unemployed as they lacked adequate guidance. They could make use of the PMEGP.
Reacting to the earlier speakers’ request for a permanent trade centre for Madurai, a long-standing demand of various trade bodies in the city, she said that it had been taken to notice of Union Minister M.K Alagiri. “I am sure the Minister will take it up if it benefits the local unemployed youth,” she said.
Speaking earlier, D. Gandhikumar, president, Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA), said that Madurai was all set to become a industrial hub in a few years time.
He outlined many projects in the southern districts such as the upcoming two Information Technology parks, airport expansion, a SIPCOT industrial estate for chemical industries and two huge industries coming up at Manamadurai in Sivaganga entailing an investment of Rs. 3,000 crore.
S. Suhumaran, Revenue Divisional Officer, N. Somasundaram, president, MADITSSIA, S. Anburajan, chairman, Ideal Home Exhibition, B. Muruganantham and P. Surendran, vice chairmen of the expo, V.S. Manimaran, secretary, MADITSSIA, P. Nallamuthu, Assistant Director, KVIC, spoke.
