Grand Kerala Shopping fest from Dec 1

The Kerala government will organise an annual Grand Kerala Shopping Festival, starting this year, to provide a platform to the trade and commerce sector.

State minister for tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and minister for finance TM Thomas Isaac said the event would be organised at all the 14 district headquarters in the state. The finance minister had, in his budget proposals, earmarked Rs 15 crore for the festival.

The 45-day festival this year will begin on December 1. It will have marts, which sell Kerala specific items such as coir, cashew, spices, marine products, handloom and handicrafts.

According to the event organisers, the initiative is aimed at making Kerala a prominent international trade centre. The festival will also focus on local residents and NRIs travelling to Kerala.

During the festival, shops and trade establishments are expected to offer discounts in a bid to attract more tourists. Further, facilities will be provided to tourists to purchase Kerala's own products right from the production centres.