President Pranab to open trade fair

Delhi’s annual extravaganza, the India International Trade Fair (IITF), is here again.

Delhi’s annual extravaganza, the India International Trade Fair (IITF), is here again.

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Pranab Mukherjee, who as Union finance minister had inaugurated the 31st edition of the IITF at Pragati Maidan on November 14 last year, will do so again —this time as the first citizen of the country. The guest of honour at this year’s event is Mikhail V Myasnikovich, the Prime Minister of Belarus, which is also a partner country for the event, chairperson of the India Trade Promotion Organisation Rita Menon announced on Wednesday.

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South Africa is the focus country of the trade fair. Similarly, Uttaranchal is a partner state for the fair and Andaman and Nicobar Islands is its focus state.

Only business and trade visitors will be allowed to visit the fair on the first five days.

“Inflation means everything has become expensive. So we have increased ticket prices this year,” Menon said, adding that the theme this year is Skilling India, which is an attempt to project the performance of the country in various fields.

Around 437 foreign exhibitors from China, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, UAE, Russia, Pakistan and other countries will take part. The number of participants last year was 230.

In an attempt to ease congestion on Mathura Road during the duration of the trade fair, the protocol lounge for VIPs, foreign and business delegates this year has been shifted to Gate No. 1 (Bhairon Road).