Coconut chips, a low-carb healthy snack manufactured in neighbouring Tiruchi, is among the stalls attracting domestic and overseas visitors on the third day of ‘Vibrant Tamil Nadu’ expo organised by Tamil Nadu Chamber Foundation in the city.
The expo, which concludes on Thursday, has 200 stalls showcasing products ranging from kitchen equipment, kitchenware, consumables, ready-to-eat items, diet drink and alternative to plastics.
“In the last two days, we have received at least 50 potential enquiries including visitors from overseas,” said Vigneshwari of Vetrivelan Exports.
“We have just established ourselves as merchant exporter. This global expo from the chamber foundation is immensely helpful and gives us tremendous exposure under one roof. We have good quality palm jaggery, palm sugar candy, cane jaggery balls, among other products. We are optimistic of exporting to a few countries in the next two to three months,” she sums up.
A.V. Jayameenakshi and S. Valliammai of Southern Spices, Chennai, are engaged in the business of selling ready-mix powder. For instance, rasam and sambar powder can be mixed in hot water and served. It is delicious and has no preservatives and the shelf-life is over six months, they say.
A marketing executive of Metal Age Machineries from Kerala, manufacturing products including grinders, rice washing machine, pickle blender and electrical roaster, says there has been good response and several potential inquiries. “Many commercial users are impressed with our range of products and prices.”
The display of non-chemical jaggery with thuthuvilai , which is available in cocoa flavour, is yet another attractive counter at the expo.
K. Singaravadivel, independent director of TN Foodgrains Marketing Yard, says the product will soon be available in the market.
At least 40% of the participants of the first expo are back for the second edition of “Vibrant Tamil Nadu”. This reflects their confidence in improving their business through the four-day show, says Chamber senior president S. Rethinavelu, creative head of the expo.
According to Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president N. Jagatheesan, Madurai MP Su Venkatesan and industrialist Bharat Krishna Shankar will address the valedictory on Thursday.
The expo is being held at Ida Scudder auditorium.
‘Trade fairs essential’
Tamil Nadu Chamber Foundation S. Rethinavelu on Wednesday said trade fairs were essential for tangible industrial growth.
Speaking to The Hindu , he said conducting exhibitions frequently, inviting global participation, would create awareness of various models and new technologies of manufacturers.
The expo facilitated buyers and sellers to learn and understand the features and needs. Such expos by trade and industrial bodies helped industry grow and encouraged more and more entrepreneurs to take up manufacturing. In the long-term, migration could be prevented and young and first-generation producers would also come up in a big way.
On the lines of Chennai Trade Centre and Coditssia in Coimbatore, the Central and State governments should set up one in Madurai, which was often described as the gateway of southern Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry purchased land near Madurai in 2012 for setting up a trade centre. If the Centre and the State sanctioned subsidy, the Chamber would get into the act and bring in the state-of-the-art trade centre. As the project cost revolved around ₹90 crore, substantial subsidy would be of immense help for industrial growth, Mr. Rethinavelu added.
