Places of Interest

India International Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan – November 14th – November 27th 2006 Delhi, being the capital of India is the venue for a number of trade fair and exhibitions for both consumers and the business community. However, the one trade fair which surpasses all others in terms of importance, magnitude and participation is the India International Trade Fair (IITF) which is held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. A yearly feature in Delhi’s events calendar, IITF will be celebrating its successful 26th run in the Indian Capital and will be held between the 14th-27th November 2006. Organized by Indian Government’s nodal trade promotion agency India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), IITF has had a history spanning more than two decades. Ever since its inception in 1980, the trade fair has proved to be a major crowd puller for consumers as well as traders, manufacturers, exporters and importers.

This year too, IITF promises to be a mega event and the organizers are leaving no stone unturned in making it a success. As usual the Trade Fair will take place within Pragati Maidan premises. According to the organizers of IITF, this trade fair aims at providing a platform for Indian manufacturers and traders to showcase their products; it also works as an excellent means of showcasing India’s technological advancement and industrial progress. Over the years, IITF has become Asia’s largest trade show of its kind, and the Indian economy can only be thankful for the revenues the trade fair generates for the industry and manufacturers. The trade fair actually serves twin purposes. One, it draws interest from global buyers and investors who consider India a fast developing and worthy global trade destination. Two, it emphasizes that the breed of Indian consumer is ever-growing, and that their potential is yet untapped.

Apart from showcasing their wares for the global buyer, IITF also showcases the technological and industrial growth taking place in the different states and union territories of India. Each participating state or union territory is assigned its own pavilion, where they can exhibit the twin spectrum of goods ethnic to their culture, as well as services which cater to a global audience. This year, 29 States and Union Territories of India will be participating in the trade fair, apart from the many PSU’s, government ministries and the private sector. When it comes it International Participation, about 33 countries will be participating in IITF this year. For the 2006 Trade Fair, ITPO will be partnered by Andhra Pradesh; the focus state for the show this year would be Madhya Pradesh.

Every year IITF has a theme which is given special impetus during the trade show. For the year 2006, the themes are Small & Medium Enterprises & Tourism. This year an estimated 7500 exhibitors will be participating in the India International Trade Fair. The roster of exhibit profile provides an exhaustive list with everything from textiles, garments, household & kitchen appliances, and processed food on display. Amongst products for personal use, jewellery, cosmetics, bodycare & healthcare products make it to the list. For hardcore B2B sector, Telecommunications, Power, Electronic and Engineering Goods would also be exhibited at the show. The show will be inaugurated amidst much fanfare with Union Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee as the guest of honour. The trade fair will be on between the 14th and 27th of November at Pragati Maidan. The opening hours for business visitors are between 10 am – 1 pm, Mondays to Fridays, and for the common consumer, the visiting hours would be 1 pm – 8 pm on weekdays and 10 am – 8 pm on weekends and holidays.