Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 29, 2009:
The week long Mera Houchongba Fair-2009 organized by the Manipur Apex Handloom Weavers and Handicraft Artisans Co-operative Society under the sponsorship of the state department of Commerce and industries opened today at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal.
The fair which would continue till October 5 next was opened by secretary of commerce and industries and CADA, Nobert Dishinang who graced the function as chief guest.
Register, co-operative Society Maithuilung Pamei presided over the function and M Rajen OSD, state commerce and industries also attended as guest of honour.
Speaking as chief guest, Nobert Dishinang said Manipur though small have enough potential in the field of handloom and handicraft.
State can earn income by selling its handloom and handicraft products outside the state.
There have many groups of people outside the state where costumes and traditions are very similar.
With interaction with them, state can try to export handloom and handicraft products to increase the market area.
He also assured that department of commerce and industries will extend all possible if interested persons came out for exporting state products outside the state.
Officer on Special Duty (Handloom), M Rajen who also attended as guest of honour said state's handloom and handicraft is among the lists of the India's product but unfortunately state's products could not be sell out outside the state.
Many products imported from outside the state including that of imported from Myanmar through Moreh are trying to dominate the state's own products.
To compete with this import items, artisans and other people engaging in the fields of handloom and handicraft need to invent new designs which could attract the products.
There is the need of finding a marketing policy to expand market of the state products, he observed.
Member of the organizing committee of the Mera Houchongba Fair 2009, Mutum Hemanta said, the fair has been organised with the objective of reviving the Mera Houchongba festival which is related with the brotherhood love of people of hills and valley.
In the fair 61 stalls mostly deal with handloom and handicraft products are opening.
It will conclude on September 5.