Talking to IRNA on the sideline of a Press Conference, General Manager of India Trade Promotion Organisation said: “This year larger Iranian exhibitors are taking part than last year, when only ten exhibitors took part in India International Trade Fair.

Replying to a question on the trade volume by Iranian exhibitors in 28th IITF-2008, Ms Naseem declined to give figures, but said that they did good-enough volume of business here.

The fortnight-long annual flagship event of ITPO, IITF-2009 will be inaugurated by President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on November 14 at Pragati Maidan (Exhibiton Ground), the venue of Asia's largest trade fair in New Delhi with the participation of around twenty five companies from Iran.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma will preside over the inaugural function, which will also graced by Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, which is a partner state in this year’s trade fair.

Thailand and China have been accorded the status of Partner and Focus countries respectively.

The theme of IITF-2009 “Exports of Services” will figure prominently in the display scheme of the pavilions of the States and Union Territories as also in a stand-along Pavilion.

“Giving the fair a pronounced business dimension the first five days viz. November 14 to 18, are open exclusively for business and trade visitors”, said Dr. Subas Chandra Pani, Chairman and Managing Director of ITPO, adding that the introduction of this measure will facilitate the transaction of business by trade visitors in comfort and convenience sans crowds.

Attracting over 7500 participants from India alongwith as many as 28 overseas countries including Iran, the fair will provide a befitting representation of both the domestic sector and foreign sector covering a broad display spectrum during 15 days fair from November 14 to 27.

Overseas participation covers including Iran, Afghanistan, Argentina, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Brazil, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Indonesia, The Netherlands, Myanmar, Philippines, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, the US and Vietnam. Cuba, Iraq, Nigeria and Papua & New Guinea are participating for the first time.

Organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization(ITPO), the fair is among the world's biggest trade shows approved by the Union Foires de Internacionale de-Paris (UFI). ITPO has been organizing the IITF since 1981.

2160**1416