President Pratibha Patil on Saturday inaugurated the annual India International Trade Fair, which is expected to attract 2 million visitors.

Nearly 7,500 exhibitors from 28 countries are participating in the 29th edition of the fair, which will remain open exclusively for business visitors for the first five days. The event at Pragati Maidan would stay open for the general visitors from November 19 till it concludes on November 27.

While the number of days when the general visitors can come have been curtailed this year, timing has been extended with the fair opening at 9.30 am. In the past, the fair used to be open for business visitors till afternoon, and general public were allowed only after 2 pm on all but weekends.

Inaugurating the popular fair, President Patil said the “future belongs to innovation, invention and enterprise”. She said the Indian economy has come a long way since it took to the path of reforms in early 1990s. While the reforms have thrown open many opportunities, several challenges have also surfaced.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and her Uttarakhand counterpart, Ramesh Pokhriyal, were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, who presided over the opening ceremony, announced the Centre’s decision to build a world class convention centre in the Capital.

This year’s IITF has been declared as a “green event”.

Chairman and managing director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Subas Pani said no plastic bags would be allowed. However, “environment friendly bags at nominal costs would be available,” he said.

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