Vice-President inaugurates IITF, calls for women empowerment

New Delhi, Nov 14 (UNI) Emphasising the need to make women as equal partners in the country's socio-economic development, Vice-President Mohammed Hamid Ansari inaugurated the 28th edition of India International Trade Fair (IITF) here today.

''There is a great need to make women as equal partners in India's socio-economic development,'' Mr Ansari said while inaugurating the 14-day fair, which has twin themes of infrastructure and women empowerment, this year.

The Vice-President said India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) should put in some more efforts to promote women entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, reiterating Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's call for a global monitoring authority, he said, ''There should be an authority like this to prevent any financial turmoil and developed world should not ignore the interest of developing nations.'' For this year edition of IITF, Orissa is participating as partner state, while Kerala is the focus state.

Over 7,000 Indian companies along with as many as 38 countries will participate in the event displaying their products and services.

Besides, Pakistan will be the 'Partner Country', with nearly 100 companies from the country displaying various products like textiles, handicraft, food products and small machinery items in the fair.

Six nations from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore will also showcase their products in the fair.

Union Minister of State for Industry Ashwani Kumar, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, Orissa Minister for Energy, IT&Culture Surya Narayan Patro and ITPO CMD Sheela Bhide were also present on the occasion.

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