KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER
International Coir Expo held at Alappuzha
To transform Alappuzha into a hub of international carpet trade, an International Coir Expo - Coir Kerala 2012 - was held in the District of Alappuzha in Kerala, which is one of the most preferred backwater tourist destinations in the State of Kerala.
Organized by the Government of Kerala, the event aimed at exploring and expanding the market for coir products at the global level and also exchange of new technologies in coir and natural fibre sector. The event, which showcased the capabilities of Kerala's coir industry as well as other natural fibre products from various parts of India, also focused on encouraging the demand of coir products in both international and domestic markets.
Sixty-five international buyers from 32 countries that included South Africa, Croatia, U.S.A., U.K., France, Sweden, Ireland, Spain, Zambia, Kenya, Germany, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka, U.A.E., Columbia, Libya, China, Mauritius, Nepal, Tanzania, Nigeria, Australia, Denmark and Bangladesh and around 80 national buyers and buying agents from various parts of the country had participated in this international event.
The international pavilion at Coir Kerala 2012 presented various opportunities for service providers in coir and natural fibre sector. The technology and service providers in coir and related sector from inside and outside the State were able to understand more about value-added products from coir.
The expo created opportunities for companies and manufacturers to interact with key personnel from government as well as private agencies involved in the development and promotion of the coir & natural fibre sector. The buyer-seller meet organized during the event offered ample opportunities for buyers to interact directly with sellers. The event also had presentations and seminars on marketing aspects of coir products including certification of natural fibres, use of coconut residues in French Polynesia, handcrafted designer products from coir and also training programme on handcrafted designer products. The national seminar also focused on topics like eco-friendly packaging in coir industry, retailing mechanism and market potential of coir pith.
The event Coir Kerala 2012 helped to expand and widen business avenues for the manufacturers of coir products and also offered great opportunities for the development of both domestic and export trade in natural fibre products segment.
