SAARC nations to participate in Noida Shilpotsav

Noida: SAARC nations will participate in the annual 10-day Noida Shilpotsav, a shopping festival which will be held in October, an official said on Thursday. "Foreign Ministry officials during meeting with UP tourism officials have given in principle approval for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations` participation for Noida fair," UP tourism director Abhilash Sharma said. "Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka are our neighbouring countries and their participation will help in improving the relations with these countries,” Sharma said, adding that the first Noida Shilpotsav was held in 2009. The shilpotsav will be held at Noida stadium, chairman and CEO, Noida authority, Rama Raman said. The fair is organised by Uttar Pradesh tourism in association with Noida authority.