Chennai: When Syed Zakir Ahmed, managing director, ZAK Trade Fairs & Exhibitions, says the ZAK International Trade Fair 2003 would showcase everything from “pin to plane” you have to take him seriously.

For, the Bangalore-based Agni Aviation will be showcasing its micro light two-seater sports aircraft. “The Rs 19 lakh aircraft is going to be a major draw of the exhibition,” beams Ahmed.

To be held at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, between 27 February and 2 March 2003 the trade fair will also showcase a slew of products like consumer durables, office equipment, stationery, real estate property and many, many others.

The international trade fair is part of the three exhibitions to be held at the same venue. The other two events are a jewellery-and-watch and fabric-and-accessories technology, and support services exhibitions.

For Ahmed, the three events will be a memorable experience, as the company will be crossing a milestone in the process. An eight-year-old company, ZAK Trade Fairs will earn the distinction of conducting more than 100 exhibitions.

“This year we will be holding 36 events — both within and outside India. We will be holding events in Sri Lanka, Sharjah and the US. Overseas we are open to hold events on a profit-loss sharing basis,” says Ahmed. The Sharjah jewellery exhibition will be on a profit-sharing basis with Sharjah Expo Centre.

Estimating the domestic trade fair industry size to be around Rs 500 crore, Ahmed says the market is growing at a fast pace. “Globalisation and better infrastructure have resulted in a sharp increase in the number of exhibitions being held in India.”

Today the ‘exhibition’ industry is going at a compounded annual growth rate of 35 per cent. Industry associations like Confederation of Indian Industry rake in good money by holding several exhibitions through out the country. With more and more multinational companies coming to India, the exhibition industry is expected to become popular like it is all over the globe.