Bihar will showcase itself as “the land of boundless opportunities” at the 29th annual India International Trade Fair (IITF) beginning here this Saturday.
During the fair, the State will put up stalls of Madhubani, Mithila and Godna paintings, Madhubani sari, Suzni work sari and Laah-Churi as the main attractions. It will also present Bihar’s special delicacies including Litti-chokka, Tilkut and Laai.
Addressing a press conference here on Friday, senior officials of the State cited “improved law and order situation” and “94 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals since 2008” to emphasise that the State has a tremendous potential for investment and growth.
Tourism Principal Secretary Rashmi Verma said the State was aggressively promoting pilgrimage tourism through its Buddhist circuit, Jain-Tirthankar circuit, Islamic/Sufi circuit, Sikh circuit, Ramayana, Gandhi and Nature and Wildlife circuits that were popular with foreign tourists.
Japanese and Korean tourists particularly favour the Buddhist circuit. Besides a five-star hotel in Patna, other “star” hotels are planned for Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. All these will be showcased at the Bihar pavilion.
Vision for the year
Bihar Rajya Pul Nirman Nigam chairman Atish Chandra said the theme hall would be decorated with the State’s vision for this year: “Bihar-Wisdom-Faith-Science (Gyan Aastha aur Vigyan)”. A road show named “Opportunity Bihar” will be organised at the pavilion besides focusing on the Bihar Government’s achievements in the past few years. “Bihar has the potential, policy and suitable climate for investment,” said Mr. Chandra.
In answer to a question, officials said the State would soon start manufacture of ethanol from sugarcane in keeping with the present-day demand. The Government will leave it to the industry to decide how much of its production it would earmark for ethanol.
“The sugar industry in the State is slowly picking up. At the moment about nine mills are operation in the private sector,” said Industrial Development Commissioner A.K. Sinha, adding that the State is also promoting food processing and agro-processing in a big way.