H.E. Shaida Mohammad Abdali participated in the 35 ^th India International Trade Fairs (IITF) on November 14 ^th , 2015 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Ambassador Abdali spoke at the ceremony inaugurated by India’s Honorable President Shri Pranab Mukherjee  

The IITF is considered a land mark event in India’s international trade. This year, Afghanistan participated as a partner country in the fairs which exhibited products from 28 countries.  Following the national anthem, the dignitaries on the dais spoke about various aspects of this mega event including the significant role of this fair in promoting trade among the countries, the new world class facilities provided for the participants such as of online booking, mobile application, and larger space for both the companies and people visiting the fair. 

In his statement Ambassador Abdali thanked India Trade Promotion Organization for inviting Afghanistan noting that it was the first time the country participated as partner country while having taken part in this trade fair for almost a decade enjoying popularity among the pavilions. He expressed contentment over Afghanistan’s expanded engagement with ITPO informing the participants of the participation of 29 Afghan companies from diverse sectors in the fair this year.

Speaking of the importance of such trade events, the Afghan Ambassador said that they not only enhance the business ties between the participating countries but also play an important role in bringing the people closer. In another part of his statement he talked about the enormous business opportunities that Afghanistan offers.

In his inaugural speech H.E. Shri Pranab Mukherjee, expressing pleasure over the presence of the companies from the SAARC member countries, emphasised the need for more economic cooperation, integration and connectivity of the South Asian countries which he described as “the least connected” region in the world. On Afghanistan’s partnership in the fair President Mukherjee said that India is not only a good market for Afghanistan but can be a good partner of the country in various areas including in information technology and capacity building.

After the inaugural ceremony Mr. Abdali accompanied by the embassy’s Commercial Attache Mr. Ahmad Fardin Zulali commercial attaché and Media Officer Mr. Abdulhaq Azad inaugurated Afghanistan’s pavilion.