By Shailesh Yadav
New Delhi [India], November 10 (ANI): The India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2026 might be held below the theme ‘Vikas aur Virasat,’ reflecting India’s journey in the direction of the objective of Viksit Bharat by 2047 whereas preserving and strengthening its wealthy cultural heritage, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman Jawed Ashraf stated.
Speaking in an unique interview with ANI, Ashraf stated the 14-day commerce truthful might be held from November 14 to 27 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, with the primary 5 days reserved for enterprise guests and the remaining days open to each most of the people and commerce guests.
Highlighting the dimensions of the occasion, Ashraf stated 31 states and Union Territories, 51 central authorities departments, ministries, public sector organisations and banks, together with contributors from 10 nations, together with a few of India’s neighbouring nations, will take part within the truthful.
The occasion will characteristic round 3,500 exhibitors, predominantly from the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector, alongside a number of main firms, unfold throughout an exhibition space of roughly 105,000 sq. metres.
‘IITF is de facto like a celebration of India’s journey, India’s nationwide growth and progress,’ Ashraf stated.
He famous that whereas most commerce festivals globally have shifted in the direction of sector-specific codecs, IITF continues to supply a typical platform for states, MSMEs and huge firms to showcase their merchandise, improvements and capabilities below one roof.
Among the foremost sights this yr might be a newly launched ‘Hall of Inspiration,’ which is able to showcase round 600 start-ups working in deep expertise and different rising sectors over the 14-day occasion.
Ashraf stated the initiative goals to encourage younger guests by highlighting the contributions of India’s youth in innovation, entrepreneurship and expertise, significantly in addressing social and financial challenges.
Another key attraction would be the One District, One Product (ODOP) pavilion, primarily based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative, which is able to present districts with a chance to showcase their distinctive crafts, cuisines and cultural heritage whereas selling inclusive growth and rural livelihoods.
The truthful may also characteristic a ‘Future Verse’ pavilion, unfold throughout 1,000 sq. metres, providing immersive digital experiences via synthetic intelligence (AI)-enabled merchandise, augmented actuality (AR) and digital actuality (VR).
Ashraf described the pavilion as a mix of leisure and schooling, aimed toward demonstrating how rising applied sciences can enhance entry to schooling and rework on a regular basis experiences.
Visitors may also have entry to greater than 90 meals shops, with an emphasis on sustaining excessive requirements of hygiene, service, structure and waste administration.
Additionally, the truthful will host 87 cultural performances throughout 4 amphitheatres at Bharat Mandapam, with a number of outstanding performers additionally scheduled to seem within the auditorium.
Ashraf stated lots of the performances will characteristic younger and rising artists who not often obtain alternatives to showcase their expertise on a nationwide platform.
To improve the expertise for exhibitors, guests and media representatives, ITPO will introduce a brand new digital software to facilitate navigation throughout the venue and allow exhibitors to schedule enterprise conferences.
On customer comfort, Ashraf stated shuttle providers will function via completely different gates of Bharat Mandapam, connecting parking services and main metro stations. Delhi Metro may also improve the frequency of its providers throughout the truthful.
Tickets might be out there on-line via the ITPO web site and cell software, in addition to at roughly 50 metro stations.
He stated guests are being inspired to make use of public transport to minimise congestion and scale back environmental impression, though parking services for almost 4,000 vehicles might be out there.
Referring to the earlier version, Ashraf stated IITF attracted round 1.8 million guests over 14 days final yr and expressed confidence that footfall would surpass that determine this yr.
Explaining the choice to advance the inauguration ceremony to the night of November 13, Ashraf clarified that the official dates of the commerce truthful stay unchanged.
He stated holding the inauguration on the morning of November 14 had beforehand created logistical challenges, as exhibitors had been nonetheless making ready their stalls whereas the arrival of VIPs and different dignitaries sophisticated preparations.
The inauguration ceremony will now happen on the Bharat Mandapam conference centre and can characteristic a one-hour dance recital by eminent classical dancer and Padma Shri awardee Guru Madhavi Mudgal.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will inaugurate the truthful and deal with the gathering on India’s ongoing financial transformation, together with authorities initiatives, reforms, investments and commerce.
Ashraf stated advancing the inauguration would permit enterprise actions to start instantly on November 14, whereas additionally enabling chief ministers to inaugurate their respective state pavilions.
Speaking about ITPO’s broader priorities, Ashraf stated the organisation is working to strengthen its authentic mandate as a complete commerce growth and promotion company, just like the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA).
He stated the main focus contains offering market intelligence, coaching, capability constructing and market-entry assist to Indian exporters.
ITPO can also be strengthening India’s presence at worldwide commerce festivals by growing well-designed and well-branded India pavilions, supported by providers resembling branding, communication, narrative constructing and enterprise networking.
Citing ITPO’s participation at SIAL Paris, Ashraf stated the organisation showcased developments in Indian agriculture, together with sustainability, traceability, climate-resilient farming and women-led farmer producer organisations.
The exhibition additionally featured the Namo Drone Didi initiative, demonstrating how expertise is bettering agricultural effectivity and reworking the lives of rural ladies.
On upcoming worldwide engagements, Ashraf stated ITPO will take part within the Singapore FinTech Festival from November 18 to twenty, offering a chance to showcase India’s capabilities and entice worldwide capital and funding.
He added that ITPO will take part within the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas for the primary time, alongside different main worldwide exhibitions, together with GITEX Global in Dubai and Gulfood.
In India, a number of main exhibitions are scheduled over the following 4 to 5 months, together with Bharat Tex, Aahar and Convergence, a expertise and innovation exhibition that has been held for 33 years.
Ashraf stated ITPO is working carefully with the Department of Commerce to extend worldwide participation, develop the dimensions of exhibitions and enhance the general expertise for exhibitors and guests.
Highlighting the significance of India’s increasing community of free commerce agreements (FTAs), Ashraf stated commerce festivals ought to more and more evolve into sourcing platforms that join Indian companies with world consumers.
He referred to India’s commerce agreements with nations and areas, together with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Mauritius and Oman.
Ashraf additionally indicated that the India-European Union free commerce settlement is anticipated to be signed quickly, whereas India is hopeful of concluding a commerce settlement with Canada this yr.
He stated ITPO is engaged on initiatives to assist Indian industries totally utilise the alternatives rising from these commerce agreements and strengthen India’s place in worldwide commerce. (ANI)