NEW DELHI, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 38th edition of the annual India International Trade Fair (IITF) began in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the event, Junior Commerce Minister C.R. Chaudhary said the services sector had assumed significance as India was now moving from a primary product exporting country to the secondary and services sector.

Commenting on the theme of the trade fair, the minister said that 40 percent of manufactures are from the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector in rural areas of the country, which need to be taken care of.

Speaking on the occasion, India's Minister for Culture Mahesh Sharma said the trade fair offers an opportunity to showcase Indian tradition, culture and enterprising activities under a single umbrella.

The two-week event, themed "rural enterprises," will last till Nov. 27.

This year the partner country is Afghanistan, and the focus country is Nepal, while the focus state is Jharkhand in eastern India.

Around 800 domestic and international participants are taking part in the event. Enditem