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 The
7th National Convention of Fair Trade Forum – India (FTF–I) was
organised with the topic – “The Role of Fair Trade in
Responsible Consumerism”. More than 100 delegates representing
FTF–I member organizations, NGOs, development organizations,
SHGs, cooperative and media, personnel who share concerns with
the Fair Trade Movement participated in the convention. The
convention discussed the present potential and the future role
of ‘Fair Trade’ towards contributing to poverty reduction
strategies in India. ‘
Youth are
considered as the future of the nation. We organized a two-day
workshop on the topic - Taking Fair Trade to Consumers” for 35
youth from various colleges and institutions of Mumbai to
educate them on the cause of Fair Trade. A “Fair Trade Club”
thus was formed. |
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 On
the occasion of World Fair Trade Day, 12th May 2007, Asha took a
concrete step to reach out to the Corporates to make them aware
about their social responsibility with the involvement of Fair
Trade and how Fair Trade is making an impact in the lives of
thousands of artisans and their children throughout the country.
A Fashion show with Fairly Traded products from different states
produced by artisans was presented by a
youth group from
Mumbai. Many Corporates came forward to join hands with Fair
Trade such as ABN Amro Bank, Magic Eye, Kotak Bank, L & T, TCS
and VSNL.
Fair Trade is
getting the needed recognition as an effective tool for
sustainable development and ‘Karigar’ – the domestic Fair Trade
shop was started with the intention of tapping the local
producers and creating sustainable livelihood for them.
‘Karigar’ has
successfully completed a year in December 2007, and is looking
forward for a rewarding new year. Till date we have had 10,650
walk-ins at our shop, where sales worth USD 104,553 has taken
place. Apart from this USD 36,300 has been generated from
corporate sales. Presently ‘Karigar’ is participating in
exhibitions by organizing stalls in multinational companies to
promote its products and also by working on the mandate of
making the Indian consumer aware of FAIR TRADE in India.
Exhibitions at Times Utsav, Times Ethnic, TISS, Johnson N
Johnson, IFLEX, Nicholas Piramal, Kala Godha, Merryll Lynch,
Secretaries association during the financial year had a sale of
USD 5000.
To Start 2008,
‘Karigar’ has signed up with India’s best mall – Inorbit in
Vashi which boastS of 13 awards since its inception. We continue
to Approach the domestic market through our Flagship Store,
Corporate gifting, E-commerce & Shop in Shop concepts. ‘Karigar’
plans to participate in 6 exhibitions / 24 corporate stalls / 4
big sales to be held at art galleries every quarter in Mumbai as
well as to improve the supply chain management system for better
productivity.
A new project on
Fair Trade Advocacy was initiated in the month of January 2008,
funded by ABN Amro Foundation India & Cordaid Netherlands. The
project will build the capacities of 50 small & medium
enterprises (SMEs) through Fair Trade Training & Workshops to
understand the concept of fair trade, the needs of the Indian
consumer, and increase in sale through venturing into the
domestic fair trade market. At the local front, through this
project, awareness will be created in Corporates, Colleges,
Clubs & other Institutes which are based in Mumbai about Fair
Trade & its basic principles.
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