Preparations on for the trade fair. Picture by Eastern Projections

Feb. 11: Undeterred by the last-minute change in the venue, the organisers of the Guwahati International Trade Fair are working round the clock to make the 12th edition of the exposition as big a success, if not greater, as before.

Business delegates from 10 foreign countries ? China, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nepal and Bhutan ? are participating in this year?s fair being organised on the historical Sonaram School ground on the banks of the Brahmaputra from February 20 to March 4.

Swami Vivekananda had delivered a lecture in 1901 at the school housed in the same compound after his Chicago visit. Legendary balladeer Bhupen Hazarika had also studied in this school.

Rajesh Das, vice-president of the Industries and Trade Fair Association, Assam (ITFAA) which is the organiser of the fair, said it?s the turn of the Sonaram School ground to hog the limelight after Judges Field. The venue had to be changed after Dispur took over Judges Field and put a ban on holding ?non-official? functions at the ground following the twin bomb blasts there on Republic Day.

?The initial setback has become a challenge for us now. We can assure that the ensuing international trade fair would be a better show than the ones held in Judges Field. How can one ignore the charm of the majestic Brahmaputra? In other words, it will be business with pleasure,? he said.

The Chinese and Turk delegates, who are participating in the trade fair for the first time, are also thrilled by the venue situated along the Brahmaputra.

Das said the pleasant news for the organisers is that all the previous foreign countries had stuck to their commitment of participating in the fair despite the uncertainty over the availability of Judges Field.

?While Myanmar and Vietnam are coming out with more attractive items than the last year?s, the Nepal delegation could overcome its country?s present political turmoil to attend the fair,? he said.

The ITFAA vice-president said the trade fair has become a brand name to provide opportunities to entrepreneurs and business leaders to showcase a wide variety of products and projects at the international level.

?Right now we are more concerned about controlling the crowd,? Das said.

The Sonaram ground was handed over to the ITFAA on February 6. The organisers are leaving no stone unturned to create all facilities at the venue.

An exclusive pavilion would be created for the foreign participants.

Refusing to announce other highlights, Das said there would be several ?pleasant surprises? for the visitors.