Next IITF Theme: ‘Make in India’
New Delhi :- After two weeks of hectic business parlays, India International Trade Fair 2014, one of the biggest business events of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) concluded in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, today. The Hon’ble Minister of State for Culture, Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma presented the Awards for Excellence in Display to the winners of different categories.
Present on the occasion were Shri Rajeev Kher, Commerce Secretary, Government of India, Smt. Rita Menon, Chairperson and Managing Director, ITPO, Shri Malay Shrivastava, Executive Director, ITPO and participants from India and overseas.
Dr. Mahesh Sharma complimented ITPO and supporting agencies for holding IITF2014 with better logistics, cleanliness, business generation, enhanced participation, security measures and visitorship as well as in highlighting contribution of the women in nation-building under its theme “Women Entrepreneurs”.
While urging ITPO to play a crucial role in promoting ‘Brand India’ products and tourism globally, the Minister appreciated ITPO for unprecedented ‘cleanliness’ in Pragati Maidan during the fair. The Minister pointed out that such efforts are imperative for enhancing trade and tourism in the country. He pointed out that the fair is an annual event plays a vital role in strengthening commercial ties among nations and raising standards of living of the masses thereby bringing about regional peace and prosperity.
Earlier, Mrs. Rita Menon, CMD, ITPO while welcoming the gathering announced ‘Make in India’ as the theme of 35th edition of IITF. She informed that IITF2014 has been a resounding success with a record-breaking highest ever net space sold at over 90,000 sq.mts. and 100% online allotment procedures. He informed that around 14 lakh people visited the fair registering 9% increase in footfalls as compared to the last year. Elaborating about the cleanliness drive , She informed that 250 tonnes of cargo replenished per day in terms of material against 150 tonnes last year .
.According to Smt. Menon, ITPO organized 63 cultural programmes in 7 theatres, as compared to 48 events in 5 theatres in 2013. She indicated that the fair was visited by 63 foreign business delegations from 41 countries and apart from a large visitation by Heads of Missions at Delhi. The number of domestic business visitors was registered 40,000 as compared to last year’s figure of 35,000. The popularity of the fair is evident from the fact that over one crore website hits were registered during the fair period and by almost 11,000 mobile users of IITF 2014 mobile app ensured, She added. ‘Vote of Thanks’ was proposed by Shri Malay Shrivastava ,ED,ITPO.
This year, the top honour of the Gold was presented to Bihar, the Silver Medal won by Madhya Pradesh and Odisha jointly while Kerala was given away as the merit award in the States and Union Territories category, while in the category of North-East States, Meghalaya was bagged the Gold Medal. South Africa received the Gold Medal and South Korea got the Silver in the foreign participation won the top honours.
The Coir Board bagged the Gold Medal, National Disaster Management the Silver while HUDCO honoured with commendation in PSUs, EPCs, and Commodity Boards & Banks. In this Ministries and Departments category the Ministry of Health won the Gold Medal while the Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue Income Tax received the Silver Medal.
In the Private Sector category, Shri Shyam Tilpatti Udyog and Mother’s Recipe were presented won the Gold and the Silver Medal respectively. The Rural Electrification Corporation and Ministry of Power bagged the best attempt in portraying the theme of the fair ‘Women Entrepreneurs’.
In the category of State Cuisine Award Karnataka bagged the Gold Medal and Kerala won the Silver while Pakistan (Lizza Food, Lahore), mobile Pragati Cafe, Neo Entre Hospitality received the Gold Medal, Drink N Dine Restaurant, the Silver while Bronze Medal received by Park Balluchi in the private F&B category.
South Africa ‘Partner Country’, Thailand ‘Focus Country’ and Delhi ‘Focus State’ were also awarded. Besides, Dare Devils Motor Cycle Squad of CRPF Women were honoured and special commendation for mobilisation exhibitors in Leather Fairs was presented to Shivalik Fabrics. Meru Energy India and Laboheal Meditech were honoured with the Gold Medal and the Silver Medal respectively in the category of Innovation Pavilion.
