By IANS,
New Delhi : Pakistan is the partner country at this year’s India International Trade Fair to be held at the sprawling Pragati Maidan exhibition grounds Nov 14 to 27.
Infrastructure development in India and women’s empowerment are the two focal themes of this year’s fair, now in its 28th edition, with Orissa as the partner state and Karnataka as the focus state.
Delegations from 35 countries from Japan to the US are participating in the fair that will also focus on the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), said the organisers, the commerce ministry’s India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).
Some of the attractions this year include exhibits with themes like technology mart, realty and good living, to showcase a wide range of products and services covering automobiles, electronics, pharmaceutical, jute, rubber, handicraft, jewellery and consumer goods.
Merchandise like processed foods, cosmetics, healthcare and consumer electronics, among others, will also have dedicated halls, the organisers said.
“The fair serves to showcase India’s industrial progress and project the country as a worthy global trade destination and a high potential market of one billion-plus consumers,” the organisers said.
At last year’s fair, more than 7,500 companies from 34 countries besides India participated, covering an area of 149 acres – 18 halls covering 64,000 sq mts and open-air exhibition space of 10,000 sq mts, besides the 34,000 sq mts of permanent state pavilions.
“The fair was opened for business visitors for the first two days and for general visitors thereafter. This magnum opus fair was visited by three million visitors during 14-day period,” ITPO said.
“India International Trade Fair-2008 is expected to break all past records.”
The organisers have also made provision for sale of discounted tickets at Metro stations, Mother Dairy and Safal outlets, and designated branches of Central Bank, Canara Bank, Allahabad Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Federal Bank, as well as at select Bharat Petroleum pumps.