India Int’l Trade Fair Begins; Products From 3,500 Exhibitors On Display

The 42nd edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) commenced today at Pragati Maidan, featuring a diverse range of products from 3,500 exhibitors hailing from India and countries such as UAE, Iran, and Thailand. The event, themed 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - United by Trade,' spans 14 days and is set to be a comprehensive showcase of trade and commerce. The first five days of the fair are reserved for business to business exhibitors, and from November 19, the fair will be opened its doors to the general public.

Organized under the administrative control of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the premier trade promotion agency of Commerce Ministry, IITF 2023 exhibition space is spread across 1,10,000 square meters. The fair highlights the participation of all states and Union territories, with Bihar and Kerala as Partner States and Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh as Focus States.

Representatives from 13 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Oman, Egypt, Nepal, Thailand, Turkiye, Vietnam, Tunisia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Iran, and the UAE, are actively participating, reflecting the fair's international significance.

Display of Diverse Cultural Landscape

Various central government ministries, public sector units, and commodity boards, such as the Department of Income Tax, DGTS (Customs and Excise), Ministry of Ayush, Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Security Printing and Minting Corporation of India, RBI, LIC, and SBI, are contributing to the event's diverse representation.

Apart from serving as an economic hub, IITF 2023 will incorporate cultural events held in two amphitheatres and musical fountain locations within the renovated complex. States have been designated specific slots to present regional art forms, contributing to a diverse cultural landscape.

Promoting Cashless Transactions

Krishan Kumar, Deputy General Manager of India Trade Promotion Organisation, said that efforts are being made to encourage visitors to adopt cashless transactions at the fair in order to align with the Digital India initiative. Kumar emphasized the ease and seamlessness of cashless transactions, prompting this initiative to complement the Digital India program. Notably, the ticket booking process has been exclusively moved online, with physical tickets also accessible at 55 metro stations across Delhi-NCR.

The fair, operational from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm, anticipates a footfall of over 1,000,000 during the 14 days. Tickets are available both online and offline, including selected metro stations, excluding the Supreme Court Metro Station. Entry is facilitated through Gate number 4, 6, and 10, providing visitors with a comprehensive and engaging experience at the India International Trade Fair 2023.

This year, the fair is witnessing the participation of 400 private exhibitors, which were only 260 until last year. Also, all 14 halls at Pragati Maidan are being used together for the exhibition since its recent renovation. The 42^nd India International Trade Fair was inaugurated by Minister of State Anupriya Patel at Pragati Maidan.

In conclusion, the 42nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) not only serves as an economic hub but also showcases a rich tapestry of cultural events and regional art forms. Also, the participation of partner and focus states further highlights the fair's inclusivity. Efforts to promote cashless transactions align with the Digital India initiative, reflecting the fair's adaptability to modern trends.