New Delhi, 06 January (H.S.): The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) will organize the 'Indian Trade Festival 2026' at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from May 1 to 4. The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vocal for Local, and Local to Global, aiming to strengthen India’s domestic and international trade and position Indian commerce on the global stage.

CAIT’s National Secretary and Chandni Chowk MP, Praveen Khandelwal, briefed the media at a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday about the four-day event. He highlighted that in the current global scenario marked by tariffs and international conflicts, the festival represents a significant opportunity to showcase India’s collective business strengths.

CAIT views this as the first major step in a nationwide movement to empower Indian traders, and the festival will be the largest national trade expo India has ever seen.Khandelwal emphasized that the Indian Trade Festival 2026 (BVM 2026) will be a celebration of India’s common market, demonstrating the country’s collective power, diversity, and unity in trade, manufacturing, services, and entrepreneurship under the “One Nation–One Market” ethos.

The festival will also highlight the historical connection between India’s ancient culture and its trading traditions. To boost national outreach, a promotional video song has been launched.The event will be organized entirely in line with the “Made in India, Made for India, Made for the World” philosophy.

Khandelwal said it will provide a national and global platform for Indian traders, MSMEs, women and youth entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and service providers to showcase their true potential. CAIT has set a target of over 2,000 exhibition stalls, participation by more than 2 lakh traders, and attendance by nearly 10 lakh people over four days.

The festival is expected to generate substantial business deals, partnerships, and investments in Indian products.Special focus will be given to MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, artisans, startups, youth startups, cooperatives, self-help groups (SHGs), and traditional and heritage-based products.

The expo will also strongly encourage export expansion and import substitution. The exhibition will span more than 24 sectors and verticals, divided into eight zones: Business-to-Business (B2B), exhibition and product display, investment and finance, tourism, culture and handicrafts, education, skill development and training, Taste of India (regional food), and women and youth skill development and training.

Key features of BVM 2026 will include buyer-seller meets, startup pitching platforms, on-the-spot loan and funding assistance, investor meetings, product launches, export facilitation desks, business showcases, and a robust policy dialogue forum focused on trade reforms, ease of doing business, and strengthening domestic trade.

Khandelwal stressed that the Indian common market is possibly the world’s largest for transactions and exchanges, demonstrated by India’s globally recognized UPI digital ecosystem. He added that sustaining and further empowering this ecosystem is everyone’s responsibility, and the Indian Trade Festival and subsequent initiatives will ensure this.

CAIT is actively inviting foreign trade delegations, international trade organizations, NRIs/OCIs, investors, global buyers, and chambers of commerce and trade associations from across India to participate, aiming to establish India as a reliable and competitive global trade partner.

Khandelwal reiterated that the Indian Trade Festival 2026 is not just an exhibition, but a national mega trade festival that harmonizes trade, culture, innovation, and heritage, providing a powerful platform for Indian businesses to expand within the country and globally.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar