The Inauguration of the 20th edition of India International Mega Trade Fair was a way forward in striking a new balance between the ever−impending threat of the new strain of Corona Virus and the revival of the Global Economy. As a part of The Chamber’s vision for the economic development of West Bengal, The Chamber fully appreciates and understands the importance of Trade Fairs like these to improve business to business and business to consumer synergies.

The Fair was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal and First lady of The State Mrs. Sudesh Dhankhar in the presence of Mr. Subir Chakraborty, President Designate, The Bengal Chamber. Other dignitaries present on the occasion were Janab Toufique Hasan, Hon’ble Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh; Mr. N P Sinha, Zonal Manager, Life Insurance Corporation of India; Mr. R K Verma, Executive Director, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts; Mr. Moloy Chandan Chakrabortty, Jute Commissioner, National Jute Board; Shri Prakash Shah, Chairperson, Trade Fair and Trade Development Committee of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce.

This year, Mega Trade Fair had Iran as the Focus Country, Bangladesh as the Partner Country and Tunisia as the Highlighted Country. Kerala was the Partner State with Arunachal Pradesh being the Focus State and West Bengal the Host State. With 15 Foreign Countries from far and wide, we also had participation from 22 Indian states − From J&K in the North to Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telengana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Maharashtra, MP, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand almost all major Indian states participated in this Fair in a large way. Moreover, over 15 different sectors were being represented this year across various product categories. This year nearly 600 exhibitors from across India and abroad had come together on this platform to exhibit their products.

The IIMTF has been playing an ideal Launch pad for the exhibitors to showcase their products and services. Among other benefits, our Trade fair has been providing the business houses and businessmen a face to face meeting opportunity, which is seen as a perfect cost effective, means for achieving trade objectives. The Chamber’s main aim through this Fair is to bring Bengal to the economic forefront of our country through the Fairs − by helping to increase the business relations between West Bengal with other states and countries.

Present on the occasion, Mr. Subir Chakraborty, President Designate, BCC&I said “The Bengal Chamber as part of its inclusive approach gives equal focus to business and community in value creation and the 20th IIMTF promoted by BCC&I and delivered by GS Marketing is a worthwhile initiative in that direction where there is ' something for everybody’. Trade Fairs like these also improve business to business synergies. This, surely, is an indicator of the potential of the State’s competitiveness as far as B2B and B2C business models are concerned”.

Mr. Prakash Shah, Chairman, GS Marketing, mentioned, ’However, given the global Pandemic, we have been extremely careful while undertaking the Fair, and are adhering to all Government protocols like maintaining social distancing, insisting on Masks for all, taking.