‘Best of India’ exhibition opens in Almaty

ALMATY - A two-week “Best of India” exhibition that aims to further promote and strengthen trade and commercial relations between India and Kazakhstan and to disseminate information about the potential and prospects for enhanced diversification and deepening of these ties has opened here.

Speaking at the inauguration at the Atakent Exhibition Grounds here Friday, Indian Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar noted that relations between India and Kazakhstan have grown at a dynamic pace, particularly over the last one year since the visit of President Nursultan Nazarbayev in January 2009 as the chief guest at India’s 60th Republic Day celebrations.

Sajjanhar noted that this was an ideal time for Indian and Kazakhstan businesses to enhance and promote bilateral relations. Kazakhstan is rich in mineral resources. India is rich in technology and highly skilled manpower.

India, the ambassador said, was ready to collaborate with Kazakhstan not only in the area of natural resources but also to upgrade its industry through value addition and innovation, human resource development and manpower.

Noting that both countries were seriously looking at each other to promote bilateral relations, Sajjanhar exhorted their business communities to take advantage of the positive environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Almaty Deputy Governor Serik Seidumanov noted with appreciation the large number of events that had been organised by the Indian embassy in the recent past to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the people and the governments of India and Kazakhstan.

Among the trade and cultural events the embassy organised last year were a hugely successful Made in India exhibition in Almaty in May 2009, grand gala concerts of Indian dance and music in Almaty and Kazakh capital Astana and food festivals, as also a conference on India-Central Asian relations.

Several delegations focussing on promotion of bilateral business relations also visited Kazakhstan from India, a statement from the embassy said.

With participation from around 60 companies, the Best of India exhibition has wooden items, furniture, textiles, ready made apparel, household fabrics, pearls and jewellery, hand embroidered woollen and pashmina shawls, cosmetics, healthcare products and incense etc. Large crowds waited patiently outside the huge hall in sub-zero temperatures for the opening of the exhibition.

The exhibition will travel to Pavlodar and Karaganda cities in March.