The Hindu Business Line : ITPO sees scope to organise fairs in smaller cities

Coimbatore, July 2 While India has the potential to become a global destination for hosting industrial exhibitions, it has to be harnessed in a planned way and by adopting an integrated approach to development of support infrastructure, according to Mr Rajiv Yadav, Executive Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO).

ITPO, which has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) for jointly organising three industrial fairs, also wants to spread the culture of organising industrial fairs to smaller cities, he said.

Addressing newspersons here on on Thursday after inaugurating ‘International Industrial Trade Fair (INTEC 2009)’, Mr Yadav said India has to develop not only exhibition centres but also increase the availability of hotel rooms, translators, guides and so on, all of which go with the organisation of international fairs.

Land is a crucial requirement for developing infrastructure and the participation of local governments is critical for it to happen.

Mr Yadav said he was happy with the facilities provided by Codissia’s trade fair complex in Coimbatore and with increasing international flights connectivity to the city, it has become an attractive choice for holding fairs.

More exhibitions planned

As part of the MoU signed between ITPO and CODISSIA, the sourcing fair covering all industries and products manufactured in Coimbatore area would be held in the early part of 2010 and an Energy Fair would be held in the second half of 2010. What is being planned at Coimbatore will be an annual event. The Chennai trade fair centre has become a highly successful venture with the fair ground being booked for 52 per cent of the year and it earned a net profit of Rs 12 crore last year.

Mr K. Ilango, President, CODISSIA, said his organisation and ITPO would have a 55: 45 per cent share in the profits the fairs generate under the MoU. While CODISSIA would take care of the infrastructure needs for holding them, ITPO would look after marketing.