G. Kalyan Kumar
The India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2024 from November 14 to 27 has set a record, attracting more than one million visitors.
The IITF organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) under the aegis of the Commerce Ministry had more than 3,500 exhibitors from India and abroad.
The fortnight-long expo lived up to its promise of being the South Asian trade hub for domestic and international exhibitors.
The popular trade show converged thousands of businesses, exhibitors, and visitors that showcased thousands of new products, services, technologies, crafts, and innovations. The 43rd IITF was also a proclamation of India's determination to strengthen domestic industry with international trade linkages.
The IITF also reflected India's economic strength and cultural richness. Held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, IITF had the theme Viksit Bharat @ 2047. The overwhelming response was the outcome of a coordinated play of many factors, including enhanced infrastructure, more personnel, media facilities, customer care and innovative product offerings from participating businesses.
The exhibition venue of over 107,000 square meters in the newly constructed Bharat Mandapam ensured a broader participation. IITF 2024 had a substantial footprint from many foreign countries, including China, Egypt, South Korea, and the UAE.
Minister Goyal calls for more trade shows
On November 14, Mr. Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the mega trade fair. In his address, the Minister called for organizing more trade shows by ITPO and holding at least two annual editions of the flagship trade fair.
Goyal also urged ITPO to pursue the idea of holding the flagship trade fair in other parts of the world, such as the US, Europe, Japan, Korea, and Middle East nations.
States showcased entrepreneurial strengths
The state pavilions at Bharatmandam Halls 01 to 06 and made a fabulous impression. In the IIT 2024 Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were partner states, and the focus state was Jharkhand. Overall, 33 States and Union Territories, 49 central ministries, government departments, and public sector units alongside hundreds of leading private-sector companies from India participated.
The partner state, Uttar Pradesh, showcased the strides it made in the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, making it a vital base for the country’s MSME sector. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who inaugurated the UP pavilion, noted the momentum the state government had imparted in promoting one district, one product (ODOP) on global platforms in the past few years, helping entrepreneurs and hastening job creation and branding.
Visitors at IITF 2024 pavilions
The UP pavilion in IITF and other sections had a fair share of many products under the ODOP, including sports goods from Meerut; silk sarees from Banaras; Chikankari from Lucknow; brass from Moradabad; and leather products from Agra.
Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh had authentic showcasing of the cultural heritage and strides in many sectors with a thrust on indigenous enterprises. Haryana’s innovative art and Himachal’s empowering self-help groups made IITF-2024 a testament to India’s rich tapestry of talent and tradition.
Punjab’s tribute to its rich cultural heritage was apparent in the charming metal statue of the bird Baaz (northern goshawk) with its greeting adding a spiritual message symbolizing courage and resilience. In the pavilion, the expertise of local artisans was highlighted, and the achievements of experts like Malkit Kaur were showcased highlighting her intricate creations that showed expertise in Phulkari embroidery.
Haryana’s pavilion also had substantial artisan crafts. There were displays of earthen pots, earthenware products, pottery-making demonstrations, clay utensils, and the efforts of entrepreneurs behind the respective units. The Himachal Pradesh pavilion wowed visitors with amazing handmade products, ranging from handlooms to artisanal food items.
Gujarat state pavilion
The SHGs of women cutting across all age groups had the opportunity to present fast-selling products like jams, gels, oils, etc. The SHG teams made a success story leveraging the abundant supply of inputs like apples, plums, and apricots plus government support in making their work more rewarding.
The Jammu and Kashmir pavilion showcased the region’s rich culture and entrepreneurial energy, aligning tradition and modernity. Among the 115 exhibitors were women entrepreneurs, state departments, and cooperative societies. J&K’s Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged products, such as the renowned Saffron, Pashmina Shawls, Kani Shawls, and Sozni embroidery, evoked a high response.
Orissa unveils unique Karuna Silk
Orissa impressed the IITF crowd with its cruelty-free and artificial-dye-free ‘Karuna Silk’ as well as aromatic rice harvested by native farmers. The latter had a robust sale, including variants like Badshah Bhog, New Kalajeera, and Sugandha.
The Assam Pavilion at the IITF showcased the state’s progress in various sectors, including manufacturing, technology, tourism, infrastructure, and its vision to be the major economic hub in Eastern India.
Focus state Jharkhand had an emphasis on indigenous crafts and local products. The lacquer bangle craft was the main attraction. Tribal huslis by artists and ragi snacks from women SHGs were significant offerings of Jharkhand.
The Chhattisgarh pavilion articulated initiatives for farmer empowerment aiming for more productivity in the state known as the rice bowl of central India. In other categories too, including the wellness section, there were stalls by Chhattisgarh business units, including tribal health solutions products.
The Arunachal Pradesh pavilion displayed an array of native flagship products. According to Joshlin Tayeng, the nodal officer, Arunachal Pradesh has put up its state pavilion for the first time in IITF. But care was taken to involve entrepreneurs from different parts of the state, representing the contribution of all economic drivers of the state.
Thus, kiwi, spices like large cardamom, ginger, turmeric, Khamti rice, cane, bamboo products, varieties of tea, beadwork jewellery, Mishmi handbags, and other traditional textiles have found a fair share in the IITF pavilion, amply reflecting Arunachal’s rich tradition and cultural heritage.
The food court at the trade fair also contributed to working as a melting pot by offering manifold regional cuisines from different states, doubling up as a super platform for cultural exchange and trade development.
Union power minister ML Khattar at IITF
Impressive Ayush Pavilion
Among the central ministries, the Ayush Pavilion with its Healthy India with Ayush showcased the rich heritage of traditional health and wellness systems and the Ministry's initiatives and contributions.
One of the attractions was the ‘Ayush Visa’ exhibit by the Ministry of Home Affairs there, highlighting the scope of medical tourism for international visitors seeking treatments under Ayush medicine as India is fast becoming a global hub for wellness tourism.
Private Sector prowess on display
Active participation by leading private sector companies and brands enriched the 2024 India International Trade Fair. They included Titan, Jindal Steel & Power, JSW Steel, Relaxo, Hawkins, and Woodlands.
Beauty and Wellness industrialist Shahnaz Hussein launching a new line of products
In the beauty care and wellness section, industrialist Shahnaz Husain captivated the audience during the launch of her innovative MARRDD range of products in Hall No 14. The range includes Hussein’s grooming range of skincare and wellness products, expanding Hussein’s renowned portfolio of products well established in the grooming segment for women.
The ITPO also awarded the participants. In the States and Union Territories category, Puducherry won the Gold Medal, Meghalaya secured the Silver Medal, and Karnataka won the Bronze Medal.
Pradeep Singh Kharola, CMD, ITPO presents awards
For excellence in thematic presentation, Madhya Pradesh won the gold medal, Odisha bagged the silver medal, and Assam was bestowed a bronze medal. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman & Managing Director of ITPO, presented the awards. For brilliance in pavilion-design Bihar also won gold medal. As curtains came down for the 2024 IITF, now the wait is for the big event in 2025.
