Zerifa Wahid speaks at the news conference on Monday. Picture by UB Photos

Oct. 10: Love shopping? The 11th edition of the International Guwahati Expo is just the place for you.

Organised by Leo Advertising in association with Grassland Resort at Maniram Dewan Trade Centre from October 28, the event — an amalgamation of local and international entrepreneurs under one roof — promises to draw a huge crowd.

Apart from entrepreneurs across the country, the expo will have traders from Ghana, Egypt, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Thailand.

The expo will conclude on November 13.

“Leo Advertising has pioneered organising expos in the city and inviting entrepreneurs from different parts of the country. Expos are essential as they attract more investors to the state,” actress Zerifa Wahid, event manager of the expo, said.

The event coordinator of the expo, Pradeep Deka, said this international expo had helped entrepreneurs showcase their products, although he could not provide any data to substantiate his claim.

To promote local entrepreneurs, the Bodoland Territorial Council will have a theme pavilion at the expo.

Around 20 entrepreneurs will get an opportunity to showcase their products on a bigger platform.

“The aim of the expo is to provide a common platform to both entrepreneurs and buyers. In fact, we have taken cautious steps to promote self-help groups and allow them to interact with the buyers. We wish that more such groups should come forward to participate,” Wahid said.

Unlike last year, when a few of the national and multinational companies had withdrawn from the event at the last moment Deka, said he was expecting all companies to be present this year.

Around 400 stalls have been set up at the expo to cater to the needs of the buyers.

The event will also include cultural evenings and lucky draws. Along with that, quiz and art competitions will be held on November 6 and 13. An award will be conferred on an artiste from Assam during the event.

“Though it has not been finalised, talks on inviting artistes from the participating countries are under way. On the concluding day of the event, we will choose 10 lucky winners through a lottery of entry tickets and will provide a one-night stay, inclusive of all expenses, at Grassland Resort, Kaziranga,” Wahid added.