9th edition of IITF-2013 begins
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 10 2013 :
The 9th edition of International Imphal Trade Festival, 2013 being organized by North East Trade Fair Association kick-started from today at Palace Compound's Hapta Kangjeibung.
Dignitaries, who attended the inaugural function of the 10-day along trade fair, have expressed their reservations over increased rate of commodities in fairs and lack of state government's initiatives to control it.
MLA of Thanga Assembly Constituency T Mangibabu, who inaugurated the trade fair as Chief Guest, observed that since Manipur is a poor state, it is unable to provide enough monetary support to artisans and farmers and called upon all to find a solution to improve the existing "poor economy" of the state.
Youth Congress activist Bobby James Wahengbam, who attended the function as one of the Guests of Honour, asserted that sky-shooting price of goods in fairs is one of the major concerns for all and a factor for visitors' disappointment.
He also drew the attention of Commerce and Industry Minister Govindas Konthoujam to provide a permanent platform for exhibition like the New Delhi's Pragati Maidan in Manipur where all the required infrastructures are installed for exhibitions to facilitate trade.
Citing the prices of some of the items available in the trade fair as an example of selling goods at higher rate, Editor of Hueiyen Lanpao (Meetei Mayek Edition), M Shivadutta Luwang , who was also present on the occasion as another Guests of Honour, noted that a mineral water bottle which costs just Rs.10 is being sold at Rs.15 .
If the state government established a permanent place for organizing fair, the cost of organizing such trade fairs may be controlled and subsequently exhibitors would be able to sell their goods at market rate or even lower, he suggested.
As part of the trade fair, NETFA also organised a painting competition for schools children.