IITF concludes; Minister says Rs 1,000 cr business done

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Commerce and Power Jairam Ramesh said a business of over Rs 1,000 crore was done during the 14-day India International Trade Fair (IITF), which concluded here today.

''This is a successful completion of the IITF which has seen a total transactions worth over Rs 1,000 crore,'' Mr Ramesh told reporters here.

Everyday, about 90,000 to 1,00,000 people visited the stalls, he added.

The Minister said Pakistan and Afghanistan have done very well during the fair and this indicates the economic cooperation among the South Asian countries.

He added that such cooperation among Pakistan, Afghanistan and India would increase the trade substantially in coming years.

Pakistan's textiles and dried fruit of Afghanistan received a very good response and contributed major part of the total transactions carried out at the trade fair.

In tune with the government's commitment to promoting closer ties with its neighbouring countries, Pakistan was accorded partner country status, while 'ASEAN' countries were selected as the focus region at 28th edition of IITF.

Nearly 100 firms from Pakistan participated in the event displaying their products and services.

However, a number of stalls allotted to the partner country were empty on the first day of the fair.

''Our stuff is lying with the custom authorities, so what can we offer to the visitors,'' said a frustrated businessman from Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Minister also agreed that Pakistani traders faced some problems, but he assured them of resolving the problems.

About 450 companies of 38 countries and over 7,000 Indian companies participated in the 28th edition of IITF.

Six ASEAN nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore also showcased their products in the fair.

The IITF was organised by Indian government's nodal trade promotion agency India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) here at Pragati Maidan from November 14-27.

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