The Hindu : New Delhi News : The big show begins

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006
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New Delhi

New Delhi

The big show begins

Staff Reporter

Thailand is `focus country' and China `partner country' at IITF

THREE CHEERS: Union Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee along with Commerce Minister Kamal Nath at the inauguration of the 26th India International Trade Fair 2006 on Tuesday . Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

NEW DELHI: One of Asia's largest trade exhibitions, the 26th India International Trade Fair (IITF), was inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee at Pragati Maidan here on Tuesday.

Witnessing the participation of over 7,500 companies from over 30 countries, the 14-day-long fair has brought to Delhi a diversified range of products and services from across the world.

Inaugurating the fair, Mr. Mukherjee spoke at length about India's booming economy, particularly its exports, which have risen to over $ 100-billion per year.

"In one and a half decades and more precisely in the last five-six years, the component of the export basket has undergone a radical change. All these things have happened because of the latent talent in the Indian entrepreneurs, managers, businessmen had. And by providing the appropriate policy framework, it has been possible to make this transformation," said Mr. Mukherjee.

The exhibition is also providing a big platform to the participating companies and countries to market themselves. At all the pavilions of Pragati Maidan the exhibitors on Tuesday morning were looking forward for the arrival of visitors and serious buyers.

"We have done our homework and are now waiting for the sales to happen," said an executive of a leading Indian cosmetic firm as he stood beside his spruced up stall. For a number of youngsters the exhibition is also the raison d'etre for their first employment as they have been recruited by companies as sale boys and girls.

This year Thailand is the focus country while China is the partner country, with nearly 200 Chinese companies participating in the mega-event.

"Small and medium enterprises" and "tourism" are the special theme of the fair this time. Andhra Pradesh is the "Partner State" while Madhya Pradesh features as "Focus State". Even on the first day the fair attracted a large number of people. To provide a comfortable mode of transport for them, various arrangements had been made.

The Delhi Metro ferried them directly to the newly opened Pragati Maidan metro station; a number of EMU trains ferried passengers to the Pragati Maidan railway station.

Delhi Transport Corporation ran a point-to-point service to Pragati Maidan from various parts of the Capital and the National Capital Region; and free park-and-ride facility was made available by the exhibition organiser, India Trade Promotion Organisation, to the venue from designated parking areas. As a result the flow of traffic around the exhibition ground was quite normal.

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