(The time of India): Afghanistan’s participation at the 39th India International Trade Fair in New Delhi is reminiscing on time, the endeavours and bonding that Afghanistan has created with India. IITF has set a perfect bench mark for Afghan traders to connect with Indian market and more importantly to come forward to build new ties by focusing on trade collaboration. Afghanistan has been accorded as ‘Partner Country’ in this year’s IITF. The Afghanistan Pavilion at IITF was inaugurated by Mr. Tahir Qadiry, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of the I.R of Afghanistan. Mr. Tahir Qadiry, stated, “Such initiatives provide a platform for our traders to establish, augment & direct their businesses and Afghanistan being an active participant of this endeavor itself since 2003, am elated to say that this year, Afghan traders exhibited dry fruits, fresh fruits, gems, jewelry, spices & carpet”. Afghanistan’s unparalleled potential for its high quality of fresh and dried fruits including carpets, gem stones and handicrafts is able to compete internationally. The 14- day long fair hosts trade prospects of Afghanistan with India. Mr. Mohammad Mansoor Sahak, Commercial Attache of the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi stated “We have been coordinating with Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Afghanistan (MoIC) and Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) to bring the Afghan and Indian traders on the same platform to expand their trade activities. We wish to increase the bilateral trade of both the nations to $2 billion by the end of 2020 and maximize the Afghan export to India by rigorous marketing campaigns.” Afghanistan has opened up its power, pharmaceutical, optical cable manufacturing, and other sectors by allowing 100 per cent foreign direct investment where it is looking forward to significant participation from Indian firms. Bilateral Trade between Afghanistan and India for the year 2017-18 stands over $1.2 Billion which shows a 40 percent of increase in bilateral trade as well as 48% of increase in Afghan Export to India during the same year. In this year’s fair 60 Afghan companies has participated to exhibit their incredible and unique products of fresh and dried fruits, gems & jewelry, handicrafts, spices and carpets. The participation of Afghanistan at IITF every year is a sine qua non, an essential and indispensable element of the effort to expand its trade capacities on the global platform. The inauguration ceremony of Afghanistan pavilion was embellished with the signing of contract worth $13 million between Afghan and Indian traders in fresh and dried fruits. Afghanistan’s pavilion stands at the leading edge of progressive trade, buyers flocking at every stall glittered each items displayed. The precious and semi-precious stones seem like a galaxy. The hand-made carpets with superior quality colour and patterns are etched in the minds of the visitors. Union Minister of MSME and Road Transport & Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the 39th edition of India International Trade Fair. This year’s IITF is themed ‘Ease of Doing Business’ on India’s remarkable progress in reaching to the 63rd rank on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index from 142nd rank in year 2014. The Republic of Korea is the ‘Focus Country. The 14 day fair will conclude by 27 November, 2019.