New Delhi, July 13: The northeastern states are primed for a whirlwind tour of ?virgin markets? worldwide, from Mongolia to Germany, to promote their unique products. The itinerary of the Indian Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) for 2004-2005 includes Northeast trade fairs in as many as five countries of Asia and Europe. The trade caravan?s first stop is Mongolia, where a five-day fair billed as ?A Slice of India in Mongolia? begins on August 30.
Separate pavilions will be allotted to Assam and Tripura. The other states will be represented through sectors that have export potential. For instance, Manipur and Nagaland are likely to figure in the pavilion on food processing.
ITPO executive director Ranjan Chatterjee said the region required more exposure in countries that were potential buyers. ?Our objective is to put the Northeast on an equal footing with the rest of the country. The region?s impressive workmanship needs to be advertised abroad,? he said.
The event in Mongolia, to be held at Ulan Bator?s Information Technology Park, will be the first Indian trade exhibition in that country. Documentaries, cultural programmes and a food festival will be the supplementary attractions of the fair.
?Muga silk from Assam and handicrafts from the other states of the region will be displayed there. The accent will be on promoting items that can be marketed there. The possibility of staging a Bihu dance programme in Mongolia is being explored,? senior manager Jayanta Das said.