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 35^th 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.