Odishas first "Tribes India" outlet has come up in the state capital here showcasing a wide range of ethnic and tribal products from across the country.
The showroom was inaugurated by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Saturday, offers products ranging from jewellery and handicrafts to handlooms and home furnishing items made by tribal artisans.
The outlet was opened at the initiative of Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
Oram said a variety of products including pottery, jewellery, handicrafts and clothes made by tribals from over 27 states would be sold from the outlet.
Market linkage would be provided to tribal artisans for sale of their products through the new outlet, Oram said adding it would become one of the biggest centres of its kind in eastern India.
The minister said that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring empowerment of tribals through trade and all steps be taken to ensure that they get opportunities for livelihood creation and income generation.
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He said TRIFED organises 'Aadi Mahotsavas' across the country where tribal artisans get an opportunity to sell their products and thereby get directly benefited.
The new "Tribes India" outlet in Bhubaneswar is the 100th of its kind in the country, a TRIFED official said. TRIFED has been operating a retail chain network of 42 own outlets, 33 consignment outlets and 14 franchised outlets in the country.
Plans are afoot to set up such outlets in Puri, Cuttack and Rourkela, he said.