Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated the Delhi Pavilion at the 45th India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Bharat Mandapam, featuring 62 stalls showcasing the capital’s heritage, development initiatives and entrepreneurial ventures.
Along with showcasing Delhi’s art, culture, historical identity and rich heritage, the pavilion also highlights environmental and development initiatives such as Namo Van, Swachh Yamuna and the promotion of electric vehicles. Delhi has been accorded the status of ‘Focus State’ at this year’s trade fair, providing an opportunity to showcase its cultural identity, industrial growth and modern development on a national and international platform.
Spread across 996 square metres, the pavilion has 62 stalls, including 10 exclusively allocated to women entrepreneurs, highlighting the government’s focus on encouraging women’s participation in business and entrepreneurship, it stated.
Of the total stalls, 14 have been allotted to government departments and institutions, 25 to private exhibitors, six to participants under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme and seven to One District One Product (ODOP) participants and exporters.
The inauguration was marked by a Kathak performance by children. Gupta later visited several stalls and interacted with participants to learn about their products, businesses and entrepreneurial ventures, it said. The chief minister said Delhi was not just the national capital but also a symbol of India’s rich heritage, diverse culture, entrepreneurship and modern development.
She said the Delhi Pavilion brought together capital’s glorious heritage and its journey of modern development. It also provides entrepreneurs, women business owners, artisans and local producers with an opportunity to showcase their talent and products and gain wider recognition.
Several government departments and institutions are participating in the pavilion, including the Education Department, Transport Department, Social Welfare Department, Delhi Tourism, Delhi Jal Board, Delhi Prisons Department, State Urban Livelihood Mission, Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board and SOTTO Delhi.
The Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (DSIIDC) has been designated as the nodal agency for the pavilion. Private exhibitors, MSMEs, artisans and local producers are also participating in the fair, providing them an opportunity to showcase their products, connect with potential buyers and explore wider markets, it said.
Participants under the PMFME scheme and the ODOP initiative are also displaying their products, with the government aiming to give local businesses greater visibility and recognition among visitors from India and abroad, it added. “The Delhi Pavilion is not merely a platform to showcase government schemes and achievements; it also offers local entrepreneurs, artisans, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and producers an important opportunity to connect with new markets,’ the chief minister’s office said in a statement.
Business visitors will be allowed entry from November 14 to 18 between 9.30 am and 7.30 pm through gates 3, 4, 6 and 10. Tickets will be available online and at metro stations, except the Supreme Court Metro station.
Delhi Traffic Police has issued traffic advisory for the fair, which will be held from November 14 to 27, warning commuters of congestion on several key roads around the venue and advising them to use public transport. According to advisory issued on X, traffic congestion is expected on Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Ring Road, Shershah Road, Purana Qila Road, Bhagwan Das Road and Tilak Marg during fair.