The Hindu : New Delhi News : Foreign participants doing well at Trade Fair

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Saturday, Nov 24, 2007
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Foreign participants doing well at Trade Fair

Madhur Tankha

Afghanistan is a hit with the crowds; exhibitors from 40 companies are here

NEW DELHI: With foreign participants in the ongoing India International Trade Fair here exhibiting a wide array of domestic items of daily use, there is an unprecedented rush at the sprawling Pragati Maidan these days.

“We have had a favourable response this year as 44 foreign countries are participating in IITF. A large number of foreign businessmen are visiting the fair. Every day 900 to 1,000 business visitors are discussing trade activities with various States. We don’t have exact figures of the business transacted, but all parties concerned are satisfied,” says Sheela Bhide, Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation.

Informing that more than one lakh people visited the IITF on Friday, Ms. Bhide said the fair is attracting 100,000 visitors daily. “On Saturday we are expecting 180,000 visitors and on Sunday about 200,000.”

Among the foreign participants, Afghanistan seems to be a major hit with most visitors. It has brought in representatives of 40 companies as exhibitors who are showcasing a number of embroidered carpets, dry fruit, handicrafts and marble.

Kabul Consortium president Haji Hassan says his country hopes to regain the markets for its dry fruits, carpets and medical agriculture products not only in India but also in other countries. Pointing out that it is after a passage of 25 years that Afghanistan is showcasing its wide variety of products at an Indian fair, Arfin Zukof, the consultant for the Afghan Pavilion, says: “Earlier, most of the products couldn’t be brought here because of the war back home. Under the Taliban regime, there was restriction on women participation. Eight women are trying to establish a new trade route with India this year.”

China has put up mostly technology-related items and other goods to improve its business prospect. “We are interested in collaborating with Indian businessmen,” said a Chinese exhibitor.

As neighbouring Pakistan is known for its hand embroidery, it is doing good business in salwar-kameez and saris. According to Pakistan Pavilion director Sheikh Farooq Ahmed, the response this year in terms of sales has not been as good as last year. “There are fewer visitors this time round. Hand embroidery items, Shaan masala used in preparation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, food counter are doing brisk business.” Artificial flowers, costume jewellery and bags from Thailand and ‘nazar’ items from Turkey are doing brisk business.

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