Japan next market for Madhya Pradesh tribal goods: Gaur

New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) With Madhya Pradesh bagging orders worth Rs 10-12 crore for handloom products during the just-concluded trade fair at Tokyo, Japan has become the new market and employment generator for the tribals from the state.

''We secured orders worth Rs 10-12 crore for woollen rugs and durries at the Interior Lifestyle fair that will provide employment to about 5,000 tribals for 2-3 years,'' Madhya Pradesh Commerce and Industry Minister Babulal Gaur told reporters here after his return from Japan.

Mr Gaur, who participated in the three-day international fair as a member of the Indian delegation led by Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, was all praise for the Japan External Trade Organisation which showcased the tribal goods from Chhindwara-Seoni in an impressive manner under the 'One Village- One Product' programme.

''Japanese upper and middle classes especially showed keen interest in our tribal products,'' Mr Gaur said and expressed the hope that Japan would be the new destination for trade.

''A product sold in the local market for Rs 15 fetches Rs 150 in Japan,'' he pointed out and said there would be a big profit margin for the tribals.

He said these products would be sold through middlemen who would get 20 per cent commission.

Mr Gaur said he was also expecting orders for other handicraft and handloom products such as silk ties and scarfs, jutebags, zari work bags, bamboo table mats, wooden lamps and toys, and brass planters.

As many as 527 companies from 32 countries and regions participated in the fair which also saw the participation of Delhi, Panipat and Agra among other Indian entities.

For the Madhya Pradesh government, the collection of tribal products were put forward by Madhya Pradesh Laghu Udyog Nigam Ltd.

During his trip, Mr Gaur was very much taken in by the beauty of Tokyo.

''The city is very beautiful and clean and the people are so disciplined,'' Mr Gaur said and added that he was planning to make Bhopal and a clean and beautiful city.

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