The Hindu : New Delhi News : Himachal Pradesh ‘partner State’ at Trade Fair this year

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Thursday, Nov 08, 2007
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New Delhi

Himachal Pradesh ‘partner State’ at Trade Fair this year

Staff Reporter

President Pratibha Patil to inaugurate IITF-2007on November 14

The upcoming fair has attracted 7,500 companies from 43 countries
Delhi Metro to increase its frequency of trains to Pragati Maidan

NEW DELHI: President Pratibha Patil will inaugurate the 27th edition of the fortnight-long India International Trade Fair-2007 at Pragati Maidan here on November 14.

Himachal Pradesh is the “partner State” this year while the North-East State of Meghalaya will be the “focus State”. As the fair plays a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral trade relations between India and neighbouring countries, the participating countries from the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) have been accorded the status of “partner countries”.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, India Trade Promotion Organisation Chairman and Managing Director Sheela Bhide said the upcoming fair has attracted 7,500 companies from 43 countries. “IITF is the largest trade fair in the country. At ITPO, we try to balance between well-established fairs and nascent ones. We are making profit because of volume as an estimated three million people visit the 14-day-long fair and not because of the price of ticket. Whatever money we make, we plough it back by subsidising nascent fairs like Arogya that focuses on Indian medicines. Now we will promote fairs on renewable energy, jewels and gems. We don’t look for any subsidy from the Government.”

Food lovers will get a chance to feast on cuisine from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Thailand at the fair that will see participation of China, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Britain, the US, Egypt, Germany, Ghana, Vietnam, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Canada.

Bearing in mind the flow of traffic in and around the sprawling exhibition ground, parking facilities, shuttle service and ticket counters will be located at Central Secretariat metro stations, India Gate, Delhi Zoo and Boat Club.

Delhi Metro will increase its frequency of trains to Pragati Maidan. Tickets for the fair will be Rs.5 less at all Delhi Metro ticket counters. Trade fair special bus services will be operated by the DTC that will cover Delhi and the National Capital Region.

According to ITPO Senior General Manager Safdar H. Khan, the first two days of the fair will be exclusively for business visitors. It will be open to visitors from November 16 to 27.

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