Trade fair this time at Pragati Maidan, IITF 2017

The Hon’ble President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates the annual flagship event of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the 37^th India International Trade Fair (November14-27, 2017) on November 14, 2017, at Hamsadhwani Theatre, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The first lady, Smt. Savita Kovind also graced the occasion.TheHon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, Government of India Shri Suresh Prabhu presided over the inaugural function. The programme was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Shri C.R. Choudhary, the Hon'ble Urban Development Minister, Jharkhand, Shri C.P. Singh, Her Excellency. Ambassador, Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Samargiul Adamkulova and H.E. Ambassador, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ton Sinh Thanh and Shri L.C.Goyal, Chairman –cum- Managing Director, ITPO.

This year, as many as 3000 participants have been taking part in the IITF. The ‘Partner Country’ is the ‘Socialist Republic of Vietnam’, the ‘Focus Country’ ‘Kyrgyz Republic’. The ‘Partner State’ is ‘Jharkhand’. Over 222 from 21 countries are taking part in the fair. These include: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, South Korea, Myanmar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Kyrgyz Republic, Netherlands, UAE, UK and Vietnam.

This assumes greater significance this time when the premier exhibition complex of India, Pragati Maidan is transforming into a world-class International Exhibition-cum-Convention Centre (IECC). Fulfilling the long-overdue aspirations of global and Indian trade fraternity, IECC is being developed in line with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ‘New India’. Aiming to provide new horizons to the events such as IITF, it promises to attract mega-events of G2G, G2B, and B2B formats with its sheer magnificence and conduciveness. It will incorporate six new modern exhibition halls with an exhibition area of over 1.5 lakh sqm., a huge Convention Centre with a capacity of 7000 persons in single format (plenary hall with fixed sitting of 3000 delegates and multi-function hall of 4000 delegates), amphitheatre 3000 capacity, 27 meeting rooms of varied sizes, a large basement parking for 4800 vehicles and comprehensive traffic decongestion interventions in and around Pragati Maidan and provision for a star hotel within the complex. This year the Trade Fair will be organized in 50% of the area due to the redevelopment of ITPO, Pragati Maidan premises.

This year, the theme of fair is ‘Startup India, Standup India’. Extending India’s global appeal for investment in diverse sectors, the fair also manifests a multi-pronged strategy of Indian economy which is driven by ‘Make in India’ initiative and reforms to transform trade and industry into an engine of socio- economic growth. These programmes will be demonstrated prominently in the display profile of the pavilions of the States and Union Territories. The domestic participation profile covers all the States and Union Territories, Central Government Ministries/Departments, Public Sector Undertakings, Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Board, Financial Institutions, Corporate and non-government organizations etc. It also provides first hand information of the policies, progressive reforms such as unified GST and the new schemes launched by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Apart from featuring the state-of-the-art technologies, products, services and innovations along-with CSR initiatives, the fair showcases the immense variety and kaleidoscopic repertoire of India’s handicrafts and handlooms with their multifarious hues, designs, motifs and techniques with diversity in both medium and method. The fair provides a reliable and tested platform to SMEs exporters, entrepreneurs and investors. NEW UPDATES:

• Purchase of Entry Tickets in advance through originating Metro Stations & online: For the convenience of the public, the sale of tickets for general days will be sold four days in advance from the DMRC Stations. The sale through the online portal of ITPO i.e. www.indiatradefair.com will be available from 10th November onwards. Public/ Visitors are advised to plan their visit by purchasing tickets in advance, so as to avoid any rush/ inconvenience at Pragati Maidan.

• This year, ITPO has earmarked initial four days for the business visitors instead of five days as in previous editions. Business Visitors Registration Counters will be set-up at Gate Nos. 1 during the business days (Nov. 14-17, 2017, ticket: Rs.500/-).

• The ticket charges of Rs.1800/- will be for the multiple entry having validity for the entire duration of the fair.

• International Business Lounge (IBL) will be functioning at Gate 1, Pragati Maidan (Bhairon Road) to facilitate the visit of overseas trade delegations and visitors.

• While from November 18, the Fair open to all the visitors (Ticket for Working Day: Adult Rs.60/- & Child Rs.40/- and Saturday/Sunday/Holiday from November 18 to 27, 2017 (Ticket for Adult Rs.120/- & Child Rs.60/).The fair will open from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm, daily.

• There will be free entry for senior citizens (60 years & above) and ‘divyang’ persons on presentation of valid age/physical handicapped document with photo thereon from all gates from November 18 to 27, 2017. Attendant to senior citizens and divyang has to purchase ticket as per the rate applicable on the particular day. There is no free entry for the students etc.

• Gates available will be – 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 8A, 10, 11.

• Subject to selection of agency, the tickets will be checked through PDA or computer with barcode scanners and there will be no functional/operational turnstiles or flap barriers

• Special measures are taken to curb the unauthorized entry.

• Fire action plan signages are prepared and will be placed at prominent locations.

• Dedicated CCTV monitoring at entry gates to keep watch on unauthorized entry Pragati Maidan.

• A dedicated corridor is provided to the Pragati Maidan Metro Station visitors to gain entry from Gate No.8/Gate No/8A.

• Delhi Police has been requested to provide special teams of vigilance wing to keep watch on the unauthorized entries.

• The entry of cars from Gate No.1 will be only for the Exhibitors, Service providers and other agencies with parking labels.

• Parking charges at Bhairon Road per entry Bus/Truck (Rs.400/-), Car/Jeep/Van (Rs.175/-), Scooter/Motorcycle (Rs.90/-) and Bicycle (Rs.5/-)

• Visitors and exhibitors are advised to park their vehicles at Metro Stations nearest to their house.

• ITPO officials inside parking Gate 3 & 4.

• There will be the availability of dedicated first aid services and Dispensary at the fair. Besides, the nearby Government Hospitals have been requested to keep their emergency medical services on alert during the fair.

• Initiation of circular bus services inside Pragati Maidan primarily for the convenience of a senior citizen and divyang persons.

• Cargo Entry: During the built-up period, all scanners at Gate No.1 will be made operational. Exhibitors bringing their exhibits etc. in cars are advised to bring small packages which can easily be checked through scanners.

• Entry to Pragati Maidan can be closed at any time due to security reasons.

Announcement of Missing Persons

• Fee for announcement of missing persons within Pragati Maidan: Rs.30/-. For such announcements, visitors should contact the Central Facilitation Centre.