The Hindu : Fairs a forum for exchange of ideas: Governor

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 28, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Fairs a forum for exchange of ideas: Governor

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI DEC. 27. The Governor, P.S. Ramamohan Rao, today called for initiatives to increase the country's share in global trade to 2.5 per cent and said conducting trade fairs ``are a step in the direction''.

Apart from displaying products and services, fairs are a forum for exchange of ideas and technology for the trade and industry. They also serve as platforms to cement business alliances, he said, inaugurating the first Chennai International Trade Fair-2003 at the Chennai Trade Centre at Nandambakkam here. One hundred and eighty seven companies are participating in the nine-day fair.

Commending the Tamilnadu Trade Promotion Organisation for organising the first-ever ``fair of its kind,'' Mr. Rao said such initiatives would help the trade and industry in the State to showcase its prowess. Tamil Nadu, known for its strength in automobile, leather and textile industries, ``has a lot to show and display to those from abroad.''

A 2.5 per cent share of the global trade - from the existing 0.7 per cent - is not a difficult target to attain, especially considering the interest evinced by other nations in Indian products and business.

P. Laroia,, senior general manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, said the fair ``aims at promoting localised industries. It is providing an opportunity to enterprises that have long craved for international exposure, but had little means to do so.''

The TNTPO, which is a joint venture of the ITPO and the Tamilnadu Industrial Development Corporation, sought to institutionalise the fair on the lines of the annual India International Trade Fair (IITF) of New Delhi. The focus is on making the Chennai fair ``mirror industrial achievements and technological progress in diverse sectors of the economy.''

The Chennai Trade Centre, belonging to the TNTPO, would be organising 35 events in the current financial year and ``has successfully put Chennai on the exhibition map of the world.''

The TNTPO managing director, R. Sudalaikannan, said the fair would help many in the trade and industry, who were unable to participate in the IITF.

The organisation was formed to encourage regional trade activities.

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