11th edition of the PHD’s PITEX to be commenced from today

Pitex to Strengthen Bilateral Relations Among Saarc Nation – DC

Amritsar, Dec 7 (Punjab Post Bureau)- The eleventh edition of Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX) – 2016 will kick off from tomorrow at Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar. The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) is organizing this five day long mega trade exhibition in association with Punjab Govt.  As many as 250 buyers from SAARC Nations, including Afganistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan besides Egypt and Thailand will engage in One-to-One business meetings with Indian counterparts. During the event, Reverse Buyers Sellers Meet (RBSM) involving chambers representing SAARC nations are being supported Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India. The focus of PITEX is promotion of bilateral trade relations and strengthening of global economic linkages with the participating SAARC countries.
While briefing media at the onset of PITEX 2016, Dr. Basant Garg (IAS), Chairman, Organizing Committee – PITEX and Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar said “Over the years Amritsar serves an ideal platform for the Indian and foreign traders to showcase their products at this international repute platform. We, as a host state has provided the world-class infrastructure during the expo for encouraging the bilateral trade with Indian counterparts. The recent initiative taken by Punjab Govt to boast industrialization will definitely give a push to sub continental trade through PITEX. The huge increase in the volume has made this event as one of the biggest trade events in North India in terms of size, volume, participants and footfall of more than 2.5 lacs in just five day affair.”
“This edition we have confirmed with over 400 exhibitors from India and abroad who will showcase their products. PITEX has emerged as one of the most awaited event of north India drawing massive participation from home and abroad resulting the boast in trade.” informs Parveen Rathee, Regional Director, PHDCCI, Chandigarh. The PITEX will be inaugurated by Minister for Industries and Commerce, Govt of Punjab – Madan Mohan Mittal on December 9 in the presence of top executives of PHDCCI.
Punjab based companies including automobiles, bicycles, agriculture machinery and implements, textiles, home décor, healthcare, medical equipments, sports good and much more, will exhibit their products to foreign buyers. Organizers have made special provisions for providing ease to customers by setting up three ATMs and created entire expo premises into wi-fi zone. Organizers are encouraging traders on card swapping. Debit and Credit Cards will be applied to all the stalls. The decade old PITEX is a familiar name in the trading class of this region. On a trend, it generates business enquiries more than Rs 250 crores every year and this edition too, we are expecting to cross the same figure mark” affirms RS Sachdeva, Co- Chairman, Punjab Committee, PHDCCI.
This edition of PITEX will bring numerous initiatives like strengthening the nationwide campaign of Organ Donation. The first day will mark a five kilometer run – “Run to Save a Life” in association with Fortis Escorts, Amritsar involving over 500 children and youth. In another noble move, mentally disabled children from local NGO – Ibadat is invited for providing them an exposure of ongoing exhibition. A series of seminars themed on GST and Intellectual Property Rights benefiting the trading class will also be the featured in PITEX. PHD Chamber would also host a roundtable conference of the delegates from the SAARC nations. About 150 select buyers will be in Amritsar from SAARC nations would be engaged in one-to-one business meetings with Indian manufacturers and expected to sign many MoUs. Punjab-based companies will also showcase their products to foreign buyers. This would not only help in widening the market reach but also give wide exposure amongst the international buyers.
Besides participation of local industry various PSUs and Govt. organizations like PIDB, MARKFED, MILKFED, Punjab Khadi & Village Industries Board, GMADA, PSIEC, PEDA,  North Eastern Handicrafts  & Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd, under Ministry of DoNER, Govt. of India, Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Ltd (HPMC); Directorate of Handicrafts, Jammu & Kashmir; H.P State Handicrafts & Handlooms Corporation Ltd.,  FMCG companies, Ministry of Textiles,  NABARD, National Small Industries Corporation, Punjab Khadi & Village Industries Board, LIC and various other departments. Nearly 450 exhibitors are participating in the trade expo, who are categorized into 11 pavilions namely agriculture, food and farm, travel, tour, auto and handicrafts, etc. Earlier in the day, Deputy Commissioner also inaugurated the PHD Office in the presence of PHD officials at Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar.