IITF ends after 2-week frenzy, Digital India to be next yr’s theme

The 35th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF) which is one of the biggest business events in the South Asian region, concluded with an award presentation ceremony at Pragati Maidan on Friday. 

The award presentation ceremony was also marked by the performance of the ‘Saraswati Vandana’ by ITPO Pragati Choir. Union Minister of Finance, Corporate Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Arun Jaitley presented the awards for excellence in display to the winners in different categories. 

Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State (I/C) Commerce and Industry, H E Shada Mohd. Abdali, Ambassador of Afghanistan, L C Goyal, CMD, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary, J Guna Shekhran, General Manager, ITPO graced the occasion along with participants from all over India and abroad.

L C Goyal said that the fair this year elicited around 18 lakh visitors including 55 foreign delegates and 400 business visitors from 48 countries. He said the new initiatives, including exclusive start-up sections for the promotion of young entrepreneurs and the extensive highlighting of the ‘Make in India’ campaign was a great success.

Jaitley complimented the ITPO and its supporting agencies for organising the fair with better logistics, cleanliness, business generation, enhanced participation, security measures and visitorship. He exhorted the manufactures to produce good and cheaper quality products to achieve success in the contemporary global markets. Emphasising on the significance of events like the IITF in the economic growth of India, he said that the ITPO should carry forward its ambitious plan to redevelop exhibitions and convention centres with global standards. He further stated that the IITF provides an ideal platform to showcase quality products and strengths of Indian industries, besides opening new avenues of learning from its competitors.

This year, the Republic of South Africa received the gold medal; South Korea won the silver while Egypt achieved the jury commendation in the foreign participation category. 

The top honour of Best State was won by Kerala who clinched the gold medal. The silver medal was won by Madhya Pradesh in the State Pavilions and Union Territories, while Assam was conferred the gold medal in North-east states’ category. 

In the Swachh Bharat category, Bihar received the gold medal, the Minister of Agricultural and Farmers welfare won the silver medal while Chhattisgarh grabbed bronze. The National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) bagged the gold medal and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) won the silver. 

Ministry of Power and Directorate of Income Tax won the gold and silver medals respectively in the Ministries and Departments category. In the private sector, Okaya Power was conferred the gold medal while Hersheys India Private Limited received the silver medal. 

The partner country Afghanistan, focus country Bangladesh, partner states Goa and Jharkhand and the focus state Madhya Pradesh were also awarded.

Goyal announced that ‘Digital India’ would be the theme for IITF 2016. He also lauded the Delhi Police and other supporting agencies for making the Trade Fair a resounding success in terms of business as well as footfall which reached thousands each day.