Kerala khadi products to go global

Khadi products from Kerala will soon go global, with the state khadi board planning to explore opportunities in overseas markets.

"We have got positive response to our enquiries from overseas markets," said C F Thomas, Kerala Khadi and Village Industries minister, told a press conference here this evening.

Khadi shirts would be first exported, followed by products such as honey, gingelly oil and herbal products, he said.

A seven-storey Rs 3.16 crore 'khadi Bhavan' has been constructed at Kochi which would be inaugurated by Union minister Mahaveer Prasad on August 12. All khadi and village industries products would be available under one roof here.

Handicrafts of Kerala and from Moradabad, Hyderabad and Jodhpur will be among those exhibited.

Khadi silk and silk sarees from other states would also be available here, Thomas said. Fisheries minister K V Thomas will preside over the function.