NEW DELHI, November 14 (Sputnik) — Indian President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2014 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi on Friday.
"As India moves into the next phase of growth, there is palpable excitement and energy all around. The IITF is a celebration of India's intrinsic strength, especially when the country is striving to become a manufacturing hub of the world," the president said in his address.
Also in attendance were Indian Commerce and Industries Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, South African Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Elizabeth Thabethe and Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung, among other officials.
The IITF's theme this year is "Women Entrepreneurs" with Thailand as the "Focus Country" and Delhi as the "Focus State."
About two million visitors are expected to visit the IITF 2014, which will last till November 27, with 25 countries participating in the event.
According to IITF organizer India Trade Promotion Organization, more than 6,500 companies will showcase their products at the fair, which will focus on the new Make in India program to further extend the country's global appeal for investment.
IITF is the largest integrated trade fair with business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-government (B2G) components. It has emerged as the largest consumer goods fair in the Indian subcontinent.
