India International Trade Fair

- By Osama Manzar -
Here, on the reporter’s desk are available, both, the previous IITF’s performance, datas and also this year’s highly boosted global mela’ expected graph. It is high time to recollect the past to compare with the present on- the-way mega-mela.
It is here to inform the general body that this, 12th successive trade fair, is being organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation, (ITPO), came into existence only on 1st January, 1992, consequent upon the merger of the erstwhile Trade Development Authority and Trade Fair Authority of India.
Now, starting with the very brochure of the IITF-’92, in whose headline, it says - IITF - 14-25, 1992: An International Forum for Exhibitors, Entrepreneurs and Businessmen. Ironically, while earlier the focus were used to be on the common man the emphasis has now shifted to the real purpose of such fairs - business. No wonder, since the last time even the timinags of the fair for the public have been reduced and the morning session being reserved exclusively for business visitors. To quote here, last year’s Chair man, Moosa Raza’s fence that the trend the world over was for specialised fairs and thus business became an important part of the organisation. However, for many pavilions, it is not appropriate because the pavilions who exhibit handicrafts, house-hold items etc. attract more the general public than the business houses. Again, in terms of the last experiences, according to the authorities of many pavilions, Trade Fairs, such as this, are meant to bring the buyer and manufacturer together and their pavilion had kept strictly to the theme and purpose of the fair by not having any diversions like sales counter. The issue which has had to be decided in the meantime is yet to be seen in this particular trade fair.
As a matter of fact, the glossy brochure of IITF ‘92 hopes, “The fair will be an appropriate forum for generating expanded trade opportunities. The recent economic liberalisation measures announced by the government delicensing most of the industries, providing for automatic approval of foreign technology agreements and foreign equity participation upto 51 per cent in several industrial sector will, no doubt, make it attractive and beneficial for overseas entrepreneurs to invest in India in a big way. Their participation in IITF ‘92 would obviously be a prelude to partnering the process of development India through joint venture collaborations and investment sharing of technology”. Better done than said.
Though, the IITF ‘92 assures, as it has perpetually been, to foreign exhibitors of: gateway to the vast Indian market, transfer of technologies, collaborations, investments, exposition, etc. but always reaches to breach itself. To national exhibitors, the assurances like, domestic technologies for export, spring board to mark and expose, etc. have hardly boosted either of the two, the business tycoons or the consumers.
Undoubtedly, IITF is supposed to offer considerable business opportunities for promoting foreign trade and joint collaborations among the participating countries. As it is the single largest international trade show for the country’s trade projections, image building and establishment of long relationship with businessmen, entrepreneurs and general public. But, the overall view have been frank enough to admit that lack of foreign participation has already reduced the volume of trade.
And the poor consolation is: that UK has already been replaced by Uzbekistan, Zambia and Namibia, Says Mr. D.K. Jam, Asstt. Manager, ITPO, “Since foreign participation is on decline, we have stopped keeping yearly records”. However, this year’s participation profile is: Bangladesh, China, Cuba Cyprus Czechoslovakia Hungary Iran Korea Mangolia Nepal State of Palestine Russia Romania, Sn Lanka Taiwan and Vietnam apart from foreign participation at company level from Germany Italy Sweden UK and USA In addition leading overseas companies from 11 countries have been taking part in the TECH MART 92 from Belgium Cameroon Egypt France Ghana Kenya Spain UK USA Zambia and Zimbabwe So far as national sector is concerned as many as 26 States/Union Territoqes and a number of Central Ministries/Departments have been taking part in the IITF 92 The enterprises participating in the guise of Specialised Displays are around 500. In all, over 3000 enterprises have been assured to take part directly or through their State Pavilions in the Fair IITF 92 is providing exclusive opportunities to special displays an Energy Goodliving and Small Industries. The especial display on the small and medium industries to be designated as TECH MART is being organised and coordinated by National Small Industries organised and coordinated by ,National Small Industries Corporation Ltd., a Govt. of India Enterprise The special display on Energy is bemg organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation in collaboration with IBPL Urja Research Foundation and with the support of Associated Chamber of Commerce & Indus try Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Energy Management Centre, Department of Power and Department of Non conventional Sources of Energy Government of India Special Display section on Good Living Show in four halls have been organised by ITPO The show is covering various sub sectors like cosmetics perfumeries & toiletries home appliances giftware furniture furnishings textiles ready made garments kitchenware, handicrafts, floorings portable generators etc If the ITPO claims reach in implementation a week later report will surely be more positive.