Trade fair opens for general public today

Indian handicrafts are expected to be the biggest attraction when the India International Trade Fair (IITF) opens its doors to the general public on Saturday.

Indian handicrafts are expected to be the biggest attraction when the India International Trade Fair (IITF) opens its doors to the general public on Saturday.

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"Since it is a weekend, we are expecting close to one lakh visitors on the opening day itself. This is also the upper limit of visitors this year as we will not be able to accommodate any more people," said PC Sharma, director general, India Trade Promotion Organisation.

This year's focus is on Indian handicrafts and there are two pavilions to sell and display these items from all over the country.

"Since the handicrafts industry is one of the biggest employers in the country, it is good that we are focusing on them. There is also a special focus on food this year, with 40 food stalls dotting the fair," said Sharma.

The entry tickets to the fair can be bought from gate numbers 1 and 2, on the park-and-ride shuttle and from 27 Metro stations - including Rajiv Chowk, Rajouri Garden, Dwarka Mod, Noida City Centre, HUDA City Centre,Central Secretariat and Badarpur.

And these tickets may be at a premium this year as the ITPO has decided not to sell more than one lakh tickets in a day and to close all counters before 4pm if the limit crosses one lakh before that time.

There are 26 international participants in the trade fair this year and the biggest participation is from Pakistan, which has 100 exhibitors.

Thailand, Turkey and Afghanistan also have big delegation. The international stalls are in hall numbers 6 and 18.

"All security measures are in place. Police personnel, patrols and baggage checks are working. Cultural programmes and the theatre will also start tomorrow," Sharma added.