The 43rd edition of Asia’s biggest trade fair saw a record footfall of more than 10 lakh with the participation of 33 Indian states and Union Territories and 12 countries. But the highlight was the participation of 300 women entrepreneurs
Over the years, Asia’s biggest trade fair, the India International Trade Fair (IITF), that is held in Delhi, has become one of the most important events in the world of commerce and trade. More than a dozen countries participate in the annual exposition organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) for Indian and global companies. Given that a large volume of business is transacted at this annual jamboree of large and small companies, it is an important event in the government’s annual calendar.
For ordinary folk, who throng the venue for a fortnight, it’s an opportunity to buy high-quality products for which they would otherwise have to travel to different parts of the country, or the world, at knockdown prices. For the government, the Trade Fair, as it’s commonly called, is a profitable venture.
This year, the 43rd edition, held at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan over November 14 27, generated business worth Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 crore. Last year, the turnover had been close to Rs 2,000 crore. Thirty-three states and Union Territories participated in the fair—up from last year’s 29—though the number of foreign countries participating dropped to 12 from 13 in 2023. A total of 3,500 stall —the same as last year’s tally—were set up, covering a total area of 1.2 lakh sq. metres at the fully renovated Pragati Maidan, compared to 73,00 sq. metres in 2023. The increase in footfall from eight lakh in 2023 to more than 10 lakh this year underscores the popularity of Asia’s biggest business fair.
According to information available with the ITPO, the bulk of purchases was made by retail buyers, with food and kitchen items, household goods, clothing, and other items of daily use making up the shopping lists of visitors. The unique aspect of this year’s fair was promotion of products made by underprivileged and rural folk of India. Stalls set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for underprivileged artisans generated a turnover of Rs 5.85 crore. The Saras Aajeevika Mela, organised by the Rural Development Ministry and supported by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, generated a turnover of more than Rs 8 crore.
The most noteworthy aspect of the Saras Aajeevika Mela was that the impact of the Lakhpati Didi Yojana that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2023 to make women self-reliant could be seen here. According to information released by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 300 women from rural India who participated in the Trade Fair earned more than Rs 1 lakh during the 14-day period (see box). Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary of the Union Rural Development Ministry, and officials of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) said that the turnover of the Saras Aajeevika Mela at the Saras Mandap (Saras Pavilion) surpassed all previous records.
Among the state pavilions, the UP Mandap (Rs 2.5 crore) and Bihar Mandap (Rs 1.5 crore) were among the highest grossers. One of the main reasons for the annual Trade Fair becoming an important event in the business calendar is that it provides significant opportunities to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to network with large Indian companies and foreign partners. For international businesses, the Trade Fair provides an extremely convenient platform for identifying Indian vendors and trade partners.
The opening five days of IITF are exclusively reserved for businesspeople. According to ITPO officials, Indian businesses have booked large orders from their international counterparts.
The annual Trade Fair has become an important event in the business calendar at it provides significant opportunities to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to network with large Indian companies and foreign partners
(Anti-clockwise from top) Union Textile Minister Giriraj Singh at the Textile Pavilion after inauguration; Jitan Ram Manjhi, Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, inspecting the MSME Pavilion; Bihar Mandap grossed over ₹1.5 crore in 14 days at the Trade Fair
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