The Global Village, an international trade fair that will be the first of its kind in the State and a focal point of the ongoing South Indian Bank Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF), will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on December 22.
State Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said here on Thursday that the Global Village will feature nearly 400 stalls in six thematic pavilions – International, National, Kerala, Consumer, Brand and Weaves – and a Food Pavilion.
One of the long-standing demands of the GKSF has been to create a single platform where the most attractive features of the annual event is concentrated, offering the ultimate shopping experience for both visitors and domestic consumers.
The Tourism Department has managed to achieve this for the Sixth Season through the Global Village, which is envisaged along the lines of the Dubai Shopping Festival. It is for the first time that a trade fair of this kind is being held in Kerala, he said.
The Global Village, which will represent trade and cultural traditions of various States and countries, is coming up on 24 acres of land at the Lulu Convention Centre premises in Bolgatty Island.
Dalda and Carnival Group are title sponsors of the Global Village which will open on December 22 and conclude on January 9. It is targeted primarily at visitors from outside Kerala, particularly from overseas, to give them a complete shopping experience.
The Tourism Department is also planning to organise package tours for people from outside Kochi to visit the Global Village, he added.
National Pavilion will be dedicated to unique crafts and products from other States, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The International Pavilion will have Thailand as the partner country with stalls selling the country’s unique products and a space to stage cultural shows, besides special Thai cuisine at the Food Pavilion. The pavilion will also host stalls from China, Pakistan and Japan.