India International Trade Fair begins in New Delhi today

37th India International Trade Fair (IITF) will begin today at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. 

The 14-day annual event, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) will be inaugurated by President Ram Nath Kovind. 

This year the theme of the fair is "Startup India Standup India". Vietnam is the Partner Country, while Kyrgyzstan is the Focus Country. 

Jharkhand is participating as a Partner State in the event. 

As many as 7,000 participants from 22 countries will show case their products ranging from electronics to textiles.This year the number of business days have been reduced from five to four days to accommodate more visitors from general public during the fair. 

Tickets for business days will cost 500 rupees per visitor. For general public, the trade fair will open from 18th to 27th of November. The general tickets will cost Rs. 60 and 40 for adults and



children respectively on working days, ticket prices will increase to Rs. 120 and 60 on weekends. 

The entry of Senior citizens and divyang will be free and they can enter from any gate on production of proof of age and photo ID Card. People can visit the fair from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM. 

People will have to get their tickets in advance either online or at Metro stations, as the number of visitors per day has been capped at 60,000. There will be no ticket sales at the gates of Pragati Maidan. 

Last year, the average footfall was around 1.5 lakh people per day. This year, however, the number of visitors has been capped in view of the restricted space available to organise the mega event. 

Several pavillions at the Pragati Maidan have been demolished to make way for the massive revamp of the venue, which includes the construction of an Integrated Exhibition cum Convention Centre.