New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) The 38th edition of India International Trade Fair 2018, one of the most admired annual business events of India Trade promotion Organisation (ITPO) in South-Asia region, was inaugurated by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary along with Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma at Pragati Maidan here on Wednesday.

This year, this flagship event of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) assumes a special significance for the country as the year marks the start of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of the Father of Nation, who always inspired to dedicate ourselves to the task of nation building.

The ‘Partner Country’ is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’ and the ‘Focus Country’, Nepal. The ‘Focus State’ is Jharkhand.

Theme of the fair is ‘Rural Enterprises in India’ where all States, Government organisations and other stake holders will put their best foot forward.

It is also significant to enhance rural employment for maximum utilisation of local resources and stop the trend of migration from villages to cities.

The theme pavilion is set up by the Ministry of Rural Development as the fair manifests its commitment to various initiatives taken by the Government such as ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’,’ Skill India’, ‘Swachh Bharat’ and ‘Start up India’.

IITF has evolved by stages as a mega trademark event for ITPO ever since its inception in 1979. This year too, featuring new avenues of trade and skill development, the event highlights the reforms as well as policy initiatives in diverse fields and multi-sectors of Indian industry.

Apart from featuring the state-of-the-art technologies, products, services and innovations along with CSR initiatives, it showcases India’s acclaimed khadi handicrafts and handlooms with their multifarious hues, designs, motifs and techniques.

This year, the available exhibition space is almost one fourth of the previous IITF editions due to implementation of the IECC project at Pragati Maidan.

Around 800 participants from States/Government departments, domestic and International companies are taking part with considerable participation of rural artisans, craftsmen and SME entrepreneurs.

Significantly, the fair has registered the foreign participation from Afghanistan, China, Hong Kong, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Tunisia, Vietnam and UAE.

The ITPO has earmarked initial four days -- November 14-17 -- for the business visitors and November 18-27 will be public days from 0930 hrs to1930 hrs daily

UNI RSA SW 1522