Guwahati: The fourth International Winter Trade Fair organised by the Assam Trade Promotion Organisation (ATPO) concluded successfully at the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre on Monday after an 18-day event. Goods worth over ₹10 crore were sold during the fair, according to ATPO officials.
The trade fair was inaugurated on December 21 by Assam Cabinet Minister Atul Bora. More than 150 stalls participated, representing different districts of Assam along with traders from Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Kerala and Mumbai. International participants from Afghanistan, Thailand and Dubai also took part.
Special cultural programmes were organised during the fair, paying tribute to Sudhakantha Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his birth centenary and popular singer Zubeen Garg. Cultural performances by renowned artists were held every evening, attracting large crowds.
ATPO Chairman Sunil Deka and Vice-Chairman Madhuram Deka said the organisation has been conducting trade fairs across Assam since 2022 to promote local entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Stalls run by students of Cotton University drew special attention from visitors. A food stall named ‘Aura Saaj’, managed by Cotton University students, became popular for items like tea, singara and pakora. Research scholar Trinayan Barua, along with Hrishikesh Medhi, Neina Bora and Abhinav Bora, highlighted the importance of economic self-reliance alongside education through their initiative.
The fair recorded a footfall of over one lakh visitors during its run.
Following the success of the Guwahati event, ATPO will organise another trade fair at Gandhi Maidan, Mangaldoi, from January 9. ATPO officials have appealed to the public to actively participate in the upcoming trade fair.
