Direct selling beneficial for NE

SHILLONG: Direct Selling is one of the oldest methods of selling and it has been practiaced in more than 170 countries making it a global industry. Globally, the industry has generated sales of USD 178,521 million in 2013 as against about USD 165,200 million in 2012, registering a growth rate of 8.1%. and the key cities for Direct Selling Business in the region including Agartala, Dimapur, Gangtok, Guwahati, Imphal,  Itanagar, Shillong and Ziro has contributed around INR 8,969 million in 2013-14.
The North Eastern region has scripted a marginal increase in share to gross sales revenue at 12% in 2013-14 from 11% in 2012-13. The region has exhibited a decline in the growth scenario at 13.8% in 2013-14 from 27% in 2012-13.
The region wise split of Direct Sellers stand highest in the Southern region of the country at 11,83,541 followed by Northern region at 10,95,872, Eastern region at 8,32,863 and Western region at 7,01,358 and North Eastern Region at 5,69,853.
Bejon Misra,  Founder, Consumer Online Foundation on Wednesday said they have urged upon the Meghalaya Government to come up with certain guidelines which would reduce fraudulent practices by Direct Selling Entities besides help in growth of the Direct Selling Entities and protection to the customers.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA) hosted a Knowledge Forum at Shillong on Wednesday to explore the potential and future prospect of Direct Selling Industry in the region.
Chavi Hemanth, Secretary General, IDSA spoke about the industry statistics and skill development and added that there is a need to enhance the soft skills and entrepreneurship in the region to generate more self-employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, which will lead to economic development in the state.
This model of selling can contribute not only for the economic development, but also social development of the region and country as a whole. North Eastern region could contribute significantly to the employment generation.