14-day trade fair being organized from Feb 12

National Industrial and Consumer Exhibition (NICE) is organizing a 14-day trade fair in Patna with a view to presenting a wide range of products from across the country to its consumers and also promote the products made by local entrepreneurs.

The trade fair christened Expo 2009 is slated to start from February 12 at Patliputra Maidan in western Patna. NICE has collaborated with the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh. The organizers had been trying for either Gandhi Maidan or Miller School ground for the venue, it could not materialise, as a result of which it might inconvenience the visitors, they felt.

"Earlier, we had organized two such Expos at Miller School ground in 2007 and 2008. It proved to be a grand success," said NICE managing director Shabbir Ahmed, adding: "The trade fairs always help in boosting the image of the state where they are organized, because a large number of entrepreneurs exhibit their products for sale and appreciation."

Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh president Pushpa Chopra said that Miller School ground would have been the ideal venue for the exhibition that has been planned. "We only hope that the government would take into consideration the pleas for a better ground," she said. On the other hand, NICE chief executive officer (CEO) Rishi Raj said that trade fairs have been helping in promoting even products made in Bihar, which, in turn, helps in providing right platform to them, apart from adding to their income through sale.

The products on display at the Expo 2009 would be from such states as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal and Punjab, among others. Given the appreciable response, 250 stalls would be erected, while there would be provision to enjoy culinary tastes. There will be special Bihar Pavilion at the fair offering items from the state's small and cottage industries, as well as at domestic levels through self-employment.

Adequate care is being taken to attract visitors by organizing cultural and other programmes, as well as competitive programmes and lottery. Utmost attention has been paid to promote crafts and art from Bihar, which would be coupled with fashion products made locally, said Raj. Among those who also gave their ideas on the significance of the fair was local trade fair organizer and Sangh secretary Usha Jha.link