Hyderabad, Aug 27 (IANS): With the newly created Telangana state trying to give a boost to the events industry, a new industry body has been floated to tap the immense potential.

Various stakeholders in the event and entertainment industry have come together to form the Telangana Chamber of Events Industry (TCEI), said to be the only industry body of its kind in the country.

A not-for-profit organisation, TCEI comprises sub-sectors like events, sound/light/video, facilitators, event caterers, event venues and entertainers.

Unveiling TCEI Wednesday, Information Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao said the government was encouraging events as part of its efforts to promote Brand Hyderabad as investors while taking a decision to invest in any city also look at the lifestyle it offers for their employees.

The minister said Happening Hyderabad launched by the government recently with the concept of '52 weeks 52 events' has received a huge response. "We already have 157 events lined up and are finding it difficult to accommodate them," he said.

The Indian Badminton League (IBL) has come forward to be a part of the campaign while a film event organiser is keen to hold its southern edition in Hyderabad for three years.

He said Hyderabad was already a force to reckon with in MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) sector and hoped that the new initiatives and advent of TCEI will help the city to bag more global events.

The minister said that the government has decided to build Hyderabad Habitat Centre with an outlay of over Rs.100 crore to host events.

Jayesh Ranjan, managing director, Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TSIIC), said that Hyderabad is already the convention capital of India and whenever a major event is offered to India it is invariably allotted to Hyderabad as it has world class infrastructure.

TCEI President Surat Singh Malhotra said it would act as an interface between its member associations and various government departments.

TCEI secretary Neeraj Thakur said the event industry in the organised sector in India was estimated to have grown from Rs.800 crore in 2008 to Rs.5,000 crore in 2014. The size of the industry in Telangana is estimated to be Rs.300 crore.