Prospective buyers check out the trade fair in Ranchi. Some of the stalls are empty though organisers say more participants are scheduled to arrive

Ranchi, Oct. 26: Trade fair Canvas-2005, which is going on in the city, promises not only goods and services to consumers but also jobs to those looking for one.

Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited (LIC), one of the participants at the fair, had set up a stall displaying the various policies they offer. The development officer of LIC informed that the company is also recruiting agents at the trade fair. At present, LIC would recruit at least five lakh LIC agents, he added.

The fair, which was inaugurated in Town Hall on Tuesday, has about 120 stalls and resembles a mini Pragati Maidan as far as participation is concerned. Canvas-05 is being organised by a Mangalore-based consultant, Concern, after it had successfully conducted an earlier fair called Expo-Utsav 2005. According to the organisers the successful mega trade fair in Jamshedpur, which was held recently, prompted them to explore further opportunities in the state.

One of the main attractions in the fair was a multipurpose ladder, which is used for domestic purposes. Visitors thronged the stall for enquiries and bookings because the company had assured home delivery if the commodity was booked at the fair. The ladders were available for prices between 2,800 and Rs 35,000.

There were also stalls offering inverters, electric kettles and other such consumer commodities, apart from participation by tea companies, small-scale industry-made pickles and other such items. Stalls for crockery, fabrics and motor vehicles were also present.

A few stalls, however, were vacant at the trade fair. But the representative of the organising company said the vacant stalls would soon be filled as more companies and their representatives are expected to arrive.

The company has plans to start another similar trade fair in Ranchi as well, said Concern?s executives.

Punit Mishra, brand manager of Concern, said: ?The mega trade fair was a giant event and required a lot of investment and space. This is just the beginning. We have bigger plans and the success of this fair would form the basis of all our future decisions.?