SAARC Pavilion draws large crowds at 32nd India International Trade Fair

New Delhi, Nov.19 (ANI): Visitors flocked in large numbers to pavilions and stalls of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member countries to buy dry fruits, spices and handicrafts at the 32nd India International Trade Fair in New Delhi over the weekend.

Agricultural and textile products, as well as jewellery, found many takers among visitors, giving exhibitors a reason to rejoice as their products flew quickly off their shelves.

The foreign exhibitors were hopeful of bagging contracts with their Indian counterparts.

"I think it is a unique experience to see so many things under one roof, so many countries and multiple product categories. It is very good. You get to know about their culture, handicrafts and traditional work. Altogether, it is a good experience," said Abdul Salam Munir, an advisor in Afghanistan's commerce ministry.

People crowded the stalls, inspecting dry fruits and saffron, shawls, dresses, carpets among others, as the stall-keepers obligingly spread the whole range of their offerings to their prospective buyers.

A Bangladeshi stall owner, Paoli, expressed her happiness as customers came in large numbers to buy saris and linen.

"The customers are happily buying from us. Traditional products like Jamdani saris and bed-sheets are being bought very enthusiastically," she said.

The visitors at the fair were equally enthusiastic about the varied choices on offer, which helped educate them on the culture and traditional craftsmanship of the foreign exhibitors.

"I think it is a unique experience to see so many things under one roof, so many countries and multiple product categories. It is very good. You get to know about their culture, handicrafts and traditional work. Altogether, it is a good experience," said a visitor, Prabhat.

A total of 176 business houses and traders, dealing in apparels, clothes, home products and artefacts, have been participating in the IITF here.

About 250 foreign exhibitors will be among the over 6,000 exhibitors showcasing their products and services at the event, with the organisers expecting footfalls over 2 million at this year's edition of IITF. (ANI)