-- Samir Umarye
BICHOLIM, April 22: "Interface 2008" An industrial cum consumer fair will be jointly organised by the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) and the Bicholim Industrial Estate Industries Association, at Heerabai Zantye Hall Complex, Bicholim from May 8 to 10. The event is being organised for the first time outside the capital city and is directed towards providing a marketing platform, exposure to new schemes and growth strategies for the micro, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurship development, improvement in employability and employment matchmaking for employment seekers. In addition, the fair will also provide the people from Bicholim and nearby talukas in North Goa an opportunity to participate in the fair. The GSIA executive committee member and event co-coordinator, Mr Rajkumar Kamat, addressing a press conference, this evening said that the final year students of Government Polytechnics, Industrial Technical Institutes and other vocational colleges would also be involved in the event. “Our main focus is to make available employment facilities for the employment seekers, final year students and also for the ITI students by providing training in soft skills, and assist in matchmaking,†he added. Mr Kamat further said that seminars would also be held to help various entrepreneurs. “Exposing them to latest schemes, regulations and growth initiatives, interaction with concerned government departments and providing them with a marketing platform would form part of the event,†he maintained. The three-day event will be divided into two parts, taking care of both the industry and the consumers, it was informed. The GSIA president, Mr Atul Pai Kane, speaking on the occasion said that the main focus would be given to potteries, besides electronic items, household items and so on. The central government undertakings like DRDO, NTPC, Konkan Railways are expected to paticipate to source products from Goan industries, in addition to the large engineering industries like ACGL, IFB and so on, Mr Kane informed. “This, therefore would be a good opportunity for small scale industries to display their ability and discuss first hand with the large units to develop products required by them,†he pointed out. Mr Kane also said that the ACGL and the IFB generate large employment directly as well as indirectly through small-scale ancillaries and vendors that too with a potential to absorb workforce even with lower education. The fair will include industrial products, industrial services, consumer durables, two wheelers, electronics fitness equipments, home decoration products so on, which would be available for sale with attractive offers.
