The focus of the fair would be on the role of technology as a key to development with the thrust being on three product areas - agrotech, information technology and health care, for instance, medical and laboratory equipment, drugs & pharmaceuticals.

According to an official release, seminars on environmentally sound technology, Indian systems of medicines, biotechnology, health, and the role of women entrepreneurs in the areas of marketing & electronic commerce will be simultaneously organised during the fair. About 20 countries from the Asia-Pacific region are expected to participate in the fair. These include Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, China, Japan and Korea. The objectives of ASPAT 2000 are to promote trade and investment opportunities in the ESCAP region consequent to industrial and technological developments and economic restructuring, strengthen regional cooperation and provide a vision for the Asia-Pacific region for the 21st century, the release said.