Amdavad Shopping Festival (ASF) is an indication of a change, Ahmedabad has witnessed over years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said here during the inauguration of ASF on Thursday. He hoped that the festival will increase the business for local shopkeepers. Modi was referring to the conservative and economic nature of Amdavadis, known for their consciousness for value when it comes to shopping. "The very idea of organizing ASF (to lure such customers) is a brave act. Such festivals display the combined strength of businessmen," said Modi, while inaugurating the festival, organised for the first time in the state. He added that the very idea of a similar traditional festival was to give a boost to the economy. He was glad that not just mall and large businessmen, but small-time shopkeepers and even street vendors are participating. He urged the organisers to explore if ASF can be an annual feature. "Chose a day when traders can take out a rally displaying their unique products and then begin the trade festival from next day onwards," said Modi adding the combination of discounts and lucky draws will be a double bonanza for the customers. When asked whether there are plans to make ASF an annual feature, Shailesh Patwari, president of the advisory committee for the festival said that the proposal needs to be put forward before businessmen. He expects the 12-day long festival will generate Rs 300 crore. Businessmen are awaiting the response to the festival, following which they will take a call on whether it should be an annual exercise. Patwari said that if such a festival is organized next year, the registrations will be far more than about 15,400 witnessed this year. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that just like Vibrant Gujarat Summit made a humble beginning in the year 2003 and grew to become a flagship the business event of the state government, ASF will also grow in volumes and in participation in subsequent years. THE FIRST BUYER Modi was seen buying from a stall of Gram Shilp, an enterprise of Gujarat Government. He inspected 46 stalls before addressing businessmen.

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