Addis Ababa — The largest ever participation by Indian companies said to be not only the single largest participation of Indian companies but also the largest participation by any country in the fair is scheduled to take place at the 12th Addis Chamber International Trade Fair to be held in Addis Ababa from 21-27 February 2008.

The participation of more than 30 Indian companies in the Trade Fair covers the widest possible spectrum including software, engineering equipment, leather, machineries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, herbal cosmetics, textiles, ladies garments, handicrafts, plastic products, packaging materials and the like, Indian Embassy said in a statement Friday.

The aim of the trade fair is to bring businessmen together on a common platform and for an increased exposure to each other's market.

Major Indian companies like Tata International, HCL Infosystems Ltd., Bharat Rassayan Ltd., RP Infosystems (P) Ltd., Swastik Polymers are participating, it said.

"Several small and medium enterprises are coming under the team of Enterprise India mooted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) & Indian Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO). Besides this clusters of companies are coming through the Export Promotion Council of India and Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL)" The embassy added that the participation coincides with the year marking the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Ethiopia, "India Day" is being marked on Feb 22, 2008 at the Theatre hall of Addis Ababa Exhibition Center.

The program will include a symposium on "Doing Business with India", and Embassy will arrange business meetings with Indian companies.