Delhi trade fair to have 6,000 exhibitors

New Delhi, Nov 13 (IANS) The 32nd India International Trade Fair (IITF) opens here Wednesday with over 6,000 exhibitors from India and 21 other countries.

President Pranab Mukherjee along with Mikhail V. Myasnikovich, the prime minister of Belarus -- which is the partner country -- will inaugurate the 14-day event at Pragati Maidan.

As many as 250 foreign exhibitors from countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Turkey and Thailand, to name a few, would showcase their products.

According to the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), which organises the show, IITF is the largest integrated trade fair in India.

The first five days of the fair (Nov 14-18) will be reserved for business visitors. The fair opens for the general public Nov 19-27.

Tickets for business visitors will be available at 26 Delhi Metro stations from Wednesday while those for general public will be available from Nov 19.

The tickets are priced at Rs.50 for adults and Rs.30 for children on weekdays and Rs.80 and Rs.50 respectively on weekends.

South Africa is the focus country at the IITF.

The trade target between India and South Africa has been set at $15 billion by 2015. The earlier target of $10 billion by 2012 was surpassed a year ahead of schedule.

The ITPO said in a statement: "This year 'Skilling India' is the theme of the fair, in line with the priority accorded by the government to skill development in the country's economic development."

"The Jute Manufactures Development Council, Coir Board, khadi and village industries and cottage industries will showcase the achievement of traditional sectors in appropriate perspective in order to reinforce their global appeal and standing," it added.

The product profile of IITF 2012 includes cosmetics, healthcare products, service sector, consultancy services, consumer electronics, home and kitchen appliances, textiles, leather goods, banks and insurance, among others.

This year organisers are expecting around 20 lakh visitors. In 2011, over 15 lakh visitors from India and abroad visited the IITF while 6,000 exhibitors, including 230 from 26 countries, participated in the fair.