Jharkhand will be a "focus state" in the upcoming India International Trade Fair (IITF) at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi where the business prospects in the mineral-rich state will be showcased to potential investors from across the globe, officials from the department of industries said on Tuesday.

The IITF, an annual event which could not be held last year due to Covid-induced restrictions, will be organised at its usual venue in Delhi from November 14 to November 27. While Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh will be the two focus states in the fair, Bihar will play the role of a "partner state", a communique from the Press Information Bureau (PIB) stated.

State industries secretary Pooja Singhal could not be contacted for her remarks on Tuesday. However, an official who would be attending the fair said that the first five days of B2B interaction will be important for Jharkhand. During these five days, business establishments from Jharkhand will get to interact with potential partners from other states and countries, and explore areas to venture out.

“The first five days will be crucial for exploring business opportunities and boost trade in Jharkhand,” said the official.

This will be the 40th edition of the IITF, organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation, a government agency. The fair will be inaugurated by Union minister for commerce and industries Piyush Goyal. Over 2,000 exhibitors from India and overseas are expected to participate with the display of a large range of products and services, PIB states in its latest communique.

According to sources from the department of industries, at least 35 stalls have been allocated to Jharkhand at the international. The fair, officials said, will help Jharkhand gain global exposure and improve future business prospects.

Some of the Jharkhand stalls at the fair will be focused on mining, information technology, forest conservation, tourism and tribal handicraft. Khadi stalls and stalls by Jharcraft will also be set up.

Being the focus state for the event, Jharkhand’s culture, art and industrial expertise will be showcased at the fair, which will give the state an opportunity to make a mark in the global map for business.

According to PIB, so far Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, China, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia, Turkey, Sri Lanka and UAE have confirmed their participation in the fair.