Rural entrepreneurship and MSMEs take the spotlight at IITF 2018
The 38th edition of the India International Trade Fair (IITF), 2018, organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) kicked off today, Nov 14, in New Delhi. The theme this time is ‘Rural Enterprises in India’, and all state and government organisations as well as other stakeholders, are set to work for the benefit of these businesses.
“The MSME sector is very important for this nation. We have to encourage our rural enterprises and we want them to showcase their products at platforms like this event,” said Chief Guest CR Chaudhary, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. "About $60 billion funds were poured in India in the last four years and the main attraction was the ‘Make In India’ idea which drove these funds into the country,” he said.
“The theme of this fair is very much aligned with the focus of our government on MSMEs. Such platforms are an opportunity to showcase the enterprising strength of our artists and artisans to the world,” tweeted the other chief guest, Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture and Tourism.
Around 800 participants from state and government departments, domestic, and international companies were part of the event. Rural artisans, craftspeople, and SME entrepreneurs were also part of the gathering. “We are coming up with a world class state-of-the-art infrastructure which will be at par with rest of the world and will be delivered by September next year,” said LC Goyal, Chairman and MD, India Trade Promotion Organisation, at the fair.
The fair was attended by key stakeholders in the startup and MSME ecosystem
The fair also sought to enhance rural employment for maximum utilisation of local resources and to arrest the trend of migration from villages to cities. “IITF provides an ideal platform for meaningful deliberations to make the country among the most favoured investment destinations in the world and an ideal 'Global Marketing Hub' under the 'Make in India' campaign,” tweeted Chaudhary.
Countries such as Afghanistan, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, and more, participated in the fair.
The trade fair will be on till November 27. Tomorrow, the MSME pavilion will be inaugurated by the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the Government of India, Giriraj Singh.
Watch this space as SMBStory brings stories of entrepreneurs from the trade fair.
