Spending season

 The season for big spending to reinforce business contacts is here again. And the good news is that the Rs 1,000-crore corporate gift market is looking up. It is expected to grow by between 5 and 10 per cent this year after two bad years of slowdown that hit the industry.

 Interestingly, people in the business say that of the Rs 1,000 crore blown up on corporate gifts, the pharmaceutical industry contributes nearly Rs 600 crore. Among the other big spenders are the IT and FMCG companies.

 With the prospect of growing demand during the season, lifestyle luxury companies, silverware manufacturers and importers of glassware and porcelain are going all out to woo the corporates.

 If the Jaipur-based jewellery company Amrapali is stocking antique silverware in its Delhi showroom this year, I-K Silver is set to impress CEOs with its range of silverware table games.

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