News Desk, News Nation 360 : The 21st Edition of India International Mega Trade Fair (IIMTF) 2022 is the largest Trade Fair in Eastern India. One of the two most prominent such fairs in India began on 16th December 2022 and will continue till 02nd January 2023. Organizing this Mega Trade Fair is to showcase Kolkata as the preferred destination for Trade and Commerce and as the most preferred Retail hub. Thailand & Afghanistan are the "Partner Countries", with Iran & Bangladesh being the " Focus Countries" for this year's Trade Fair. While last year, there were nearly 500 stalls with a total footfall of 45000 to 50000 visitors per day, due to COVID protocols but this year IIMTF is featuring around 600 stalls across segments like Food, Clothing, Furniture, Interior, Electronic appliances, HealthCare, Cosmetics & Lifestyle, Handicrafts & Consumer Durables wares from across the world and expecting more footfall throughout. This year more than 20 Foreign Countries along with nearly all Indian states are participating in the Fair. Initially, when the fair was started there was less participation from foreign countries but now, the number of participants has increased to over 1000. Apart from India, there are 16 other countries participating in the IIMTF this year such as Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Myanmar, Bhutan, China, Taiwan, Dubai, Netherlands, USA, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. A few of the participating states in the Trade Fair are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh, J&K, Haryana, Telangana, Arunachal, Kerala, etc. Many Apart from these several Central government departments like the Jute Board, Textiles and Handlooms have also participated in IMTF. Present on the occasion, Subir Chakraborty, President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that after the pandemic, Trade Fair like this is very essential for the industry to showcase their products in such grand exhibitions. The visitors to the Fair include industry leaders, high government officials, corporate decision-makers, manufacturers, traders and many customers. With the diverse range of industry bodies participating in the same place, there would be huge business opportunities for all. The 18 days long Trade Fair was inaugurated by Alapan Bandyopadhyay, IAS (Retd), Chief Advisor to Hon'ble Chief Minister Govt. of West Bengal along with Subir Chakraborty, President, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I), Andalib Elias, Deputy High Commissioner, Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in India, Qadir Shah, Counsellor, Embassy of Republic of Afghanistan, Ajay Kumar, Zonal Manager, Life Insurance Corporation of India, OP Prahladka, Convenor, Eastern India, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts, Govt of India, Moloy Chandan Chakrabortty, Jute Commissioner, National Jute Board, Prakash Shah, Suparna Datta Gupta and other eminent personalities.