New Delhi, Feb 27 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi Thursday asked traders to adopt more technology and switch to online trade model whenever necessary.

"We have to convert challenges into opportunities. Do not be afraid of new challenges. Adopt technology and create virtual malls in your shops. Now, even people in smallest towns are looking for branded goods. Use technology to cater to that. If necessary do workshop to learn the way out, but do not run away," Modi said while addressing the All India Traders Convention here.

He said the BJP has the image of a traders' party and added: "We will take their (traders) suggestions for our manifesto."

"A person with no risk taking ability can never be a trader," he said.

During his address he told traders that quality control is very important.

He mentioned that the country's economy must progress so that the purchasing power of the common man goes up.

Modi criticised the foreign trade policy of the country and said: "Our external affairs ministry is working in an old fashioned way. The trend of running the nation from Delhi must stop."

He said it is important to recognise the strength of every state.

Regarding trust building between the government and the people, he said often the government and the Income Tax department look upon traders as "thieves", but that must not be the way to treat traders.

"People should rely on each other and that should be the way ahead. After that if there are any loopholes, law is there to take care of it." (IANS)