Shillong trade fair 2001 gets under way

SHILLONG, April 10: Meghalaya Minister of Finance and IPR, AH Scott Lyngdoh inaugurated the third national-level Shillong Trade Fair 2001 organised by the Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) at Shillong Polo Ground on April 6, stated a release. Speaking on the occasion, Lyngdoh said that Shillong has come out of its isolation, and he hope that the people will avail of the facilities made through these kind of fora. Stating that this is an opportunity for the people and the consumers at large to meet and see what the young entrepreneurs are exhibiting, Lyngdoh added that the local entrepreneurs also has progress and develop much in the field of trade and commerce. Hoping that the succeeding fair will be better than the previous one, he said that through this fair an open discussion will be generated on the Tourism industry which he described as one of the most important industries in many countries which contribute much to the economic development of a country. Observing that the potential of Tourism industry has not yet been fully exploited and harnessed in the Northeastern region in a proper manner, Lyngdoh said that this may be due to the fact that the people of this region do not have vested interest in promoting Tourism. However, Lyngdoh hoped that notwithstanding the law-and-order problems and a host of other related causes, he pointed out that the best publicity to promote Tourism are the people themselves, and he called upon the people to imbibe the spirit of hospitality and friendliness so as to have a conducive atmosphere for Tourism to grow. The Meghalaya Minister of Art and Culture, AL Hek, in his brief speech, appealed to the organisers not to use the people to build their business but to use their business to build the people. Among others who spoke on the occasion were J Hazarika, president ITFAA and R Das, vice-president, ITFAA.