H Hotta, general director, OITFC, looks forward to an active participation by Indian businessmen. The Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd are the co-organisers in India and are responsible for the delegation that will be visiting Japan to take part in the fair.

Dynamic Asia will include three different fairs running concurrently; the small and medium enterprise techno fair, food service fair and a toy trade fair. The exhibit categories include industrial products (electronic/electric products and components, machinery, equipment and components, etc.),furniture and interior ornaments, jewellery and gift items, sporting and recreational goods, toys, handicrafts and exhibits for introducing business activities.

Besides providing a platform to market their goods in the fair, Hotta promises several other opportunities to the participants. These include factory tours to electronic, pharmaceuticals and toy industries which will be arranged to give participants an insight into the working of Japanese industries. A number of interactive seminars will also be organised on wide ranging topics including management, technology, fund procurement, sales and product promotion.

Each participant will have to pay Rs 46,000 for renting a booth of 9 sq m size. The following facilities are included in the booth rate; side and rear partitions, booth carpeting, basic lighting, electrical outlet, company name plate on fascia board, reception counter and chair, business card box, carpeting in aisles, exhibitor's pass for duration of show, admission ticket for customers andexhibitor's name, address and products in the official catalogue to be published in English and Japanese.

NSIC offers a 20 per cent subsidy on booth rental for companies who are willing to be its export associates. In that case the companies will have to pay Rs 37,000.

To become an associate of NSIC, an exporter will have to pay a 5 per cent service charge on FOB basis. Besides the rebate, NSIC will provide a number of services to its associates including helping in pre/post shipment finance, arranging buyer-seller meet, helping in absorption of marketing over-heads, providing disclaimer certificates and giving duty drawbacks without deductions.

For businessmen interested in participating in the fair, complete application forms with appropriate demand draft in favour of Ficci have to be submitted at the organisation latest by May 15.

Om Wadhwa, co-chairman, SMEs committee, FICCI, has promised concessions on travel and accommodation charges. "We will try to get all possible discounts which can accrueto people travelling in groups."

Wadhwa says that discussions were also going on for expanding the business tour to other countries. "Since the participants will be spending on the tour to Japan, it will be economical if we also tour a few surrounding countries like Taiwan and Korea and explore the opportunities there."

Commander IPS Arora of NSIC said that his organisation is holding talks with airlines and travel agents to see whether all the exhibits can go together. "It will ensure safety of the exhibits and also cut on costs."

Ficci has also promised one-to-one business meetings with entrepreneurs in Japan. Wadhwa has invited the prospective participants to give him a list of all the people they would like to meet so that it can be arranged.

According to Hotta, the fair will provide an excellent opportunity for Indian businessmen to find out ways to promote exports to Japan. "An estimated 60,000 people are expected to visit the fair, so the exhibitors will get a good exposure.

Listing thebenefits that the participants will receive, Hotta said, the fair will help Asian SMEs to locate suitable retail and wholesale partners in Japan. It will facilitate understanding of varying Japanese consumer needs. The fair will help in the acquisition of ideas for improvement and problem-solving through Asian SME exchange of know-how on management, manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing. It will lead to the realisation of first-hand information and opinions on joint ventures and technical collaborations. The participants will get an access to the new type of display by virtual reality technology. Opportunities to make presentations using personal computers and the internet will also be provided. Hotta said, "The participants should get the necessary information in CD-ROMs to make use of the facility."

Another important feature of the fair will be the setting up of a `reverse trade fair', where sample parts and components needed by finished product manufacturers will be displayed, creating morebusiness opportunities for the SMEs.

Wadhwa said that it will also be a good opportunity for the Japanese to see the capabilities of the Indian SMEs. As 21 other countries will also be participating in the fair, trade opportunities with them can also be explored. "It is a unique opportunity to explore and diversify one's business in the Asian market. The fair can give a big push to exports from India." Dynamic Fair, which is taking place for the first time, might become a regular occurrence if it lives up to the expectations of the organisers. "We are thinking of holding it every two years. The venue can be shifted every year."