India is planning to organise sector-specific and multi-sector trade exhibitions across international markets, particularly in countries with which it has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), to help domestic exporters, startups and businesses tap new overseas opportunities, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced on Friday, news agency ANI reported. He was speaking at the inauguration of the 45th India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Source: ANI via DevDiscourse

"This IITF is now going to be taken across the world. ITPO is planning several international fairs, sectoral or multi-dimensional, across the world, where Indian goods, Indian services, Indian startups will be showcased," Goyal said, referring to the India Trade Promotion Organisation, which organises the IITF.

Highlighting the opportunities under India's expanding FTA network, the minister urged manufacturers, artisans and exporters to use preferential market access. "Markets are now open for us. We have to walk through the doors of those markets," he said. He said businesses should explore exporting products showcased at IITF, including handicrafts, handloom products, agricultural goods and other district-specific products.

$1 trillion target 'well on track', minister says

"We are well on track to achieve the 1 trillion dollar target this year with seven month performance up to October now showing an export of 570 billion dollars in seven months. It has never happened before," Goyal said. He projected India's international trade growth at 15-16 per cent during the current financial year, compared with expected global trade growth of around 3-3.5 per cent, and stressed that quality and sustainability would remain central to India's competitiveness.

Awaaz Punjab reported on November 12, ahead of the fair, that the 45th IITF would open on November 14 at Bharat Mandapam with Goyal inaugurating it on November 13. The fair runs from November 14 to 27 and will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from India and abroad, with participation from 32 states and Union Territories and 11 countries, ANI reported. Around 600 startups will be showcased through the Hall of Inspiration, along with district-level products under the One District One Product initiative.