Mega trade fair IITF set to make comeback after a gap of one year

The largest annual fair held in the national capital will see about 3,000 exhibitors from India and abroad, with participation from 20 states, three union territories and nine countries

Amid easing of curbs due to decline in Covid cases, the annual India International Trade Fair (IITF) is set to make a comeback after a pandemic-induced pause in 2020.

The largest annual fair held in the national capital will see nearly 3,000 exhibitors from India and abroad, with participation from 20 states, three union territories and nine countries-- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, UAE, Tunisia and Turkey. As many as 40 companies from these nine countries will be putting up stalls at the event.

While 20 countries participated in the fair during the years before Covid-19 struck, this year the number of nations have been limited owing to the uncertainty due to the pandemic.

L C Goyal, Chairman of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) which organises the fair, said the response for participation and the size of the area permitted for the event have been "encouraging", considering that announcement to hold it was made at a short notice and there was an uncertainty due to Covid-19.

The focus is primarily on MSMEs, rural artisans, self help groups, he said adding that the fair will witness participation from mid-size private sector companies.

“The response has been very encouraging. As compared to the previous edition that we had in 2019, we are organising this event in an area of 70,000 square metre (gross area) almost three-times the area we had in 2019. This is the kind of response that we got after DDMA (Delhi Disaster Management Authority) gave us the permission to hold such an event only on September 15 and all clearances did not come at one go. People were also not sure if the event would happen this year,” Goyal told Business Standard.

As far as the footfall is concerned, Goyal expected it to be more than 500,000 as compared to 400,000 in 2019. Even though he did not give an expectation of the amount of business generated, the fair generated Rs 400 crore of business in 2018 and Rs 200 crore in 2019.

The year 2019 was relatively lacklustre as compared to the past years, due to the limited number of exhibits on display and limited area owing to the makeover and redevelopment plan of the work of the historic Pragati Maidan.

However, circumstances have changed this year. The event is being organized not only in the old Pragati Maidan, but the 50,000 square metre area of the recently-launched new exhibition halls will also be utilized. The four new halls are a part of the government’s ongoing International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC) project, which is set to result in the makeover of the Pragati Maidan.

“The 40th edition of IITF, a magnum of India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), represents India in totality as an ideal destination for numerous business and investment opportunities. This year, the fair assumes a special significance as it coincides with celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’- 75 years of India’s Independence,” an official statement said.

The mega fair will be inaugurated by the commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday.

“The Fair focuses on the theme "Aatmanirbhar Bharat", which aims to promote investment and self-reliance in diverse sectors to meet domestic demand and be a part of the global supply chain ecosystem,” the statement said.

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The countdown is underway to the India International Trade Fair beginning 14th November. ⏰ A brand new exhibition complex at Pragati Maidan will showcase a brand new India highlighting: