The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2024 began at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal on the outskirts of the capital on Sunday.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Commerce Ministry jointly organised the trade fair aimed at showcasing a wide range of locally produced products and services under one roof.
Eighteen countries, including India, Pakistan, Singapore, Turkey, Hong Kong and Iran, are participating in the fair.
A total of 350 local and international stalls have been set up in the fair venue to showcase various products and services.
This year, the DITF gate has been made based on the design of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (Karnaphuli Tunnel). According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), ticket price for entry to the fair venue has been fixed at Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children. Freedom fighters and people with disabilities can enter the fair for free by showing their cards. Tickets will also be sold online.
Organisers said last year there were 331 local and foreign stalls in the fair. This year the number of stalls have increased to 350. Apart from the local entrepreneurs, traders from different countries are participating in the fair.
Textiles, machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty products, electrical and electronics, furniture, jute and jute products, home goods, leather, artificial leather and leather goods such as shoes, sports goods, sanitary ware, toys, stationery, crockery, plastic, Melamine polymer, herbal and toiletries, imitation jewelry, processed food, fast food, handicrafts, home decor are being displayed in the fair.
To reduce the sufferings of the visitors, the government shifted the DITF fair venue to Purbachal in 2022. This time, the DITF is being held at the Prbachal venue for the third time. Like before, the month-long fair will continue from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm every day. The fair will remain open till 10:00pm at weekends
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) buses have been kept ready at Farmgate to transport visitors. Anybody willing to visit the fair from Uttara or Motijheel can come directly to the fair from Farmgate by BRTC bus through the elevated expressway. Also dedicated BRTC buses and some passenger buses will run from Kuril Bissha Road to the fair ground for the convenience of visitors. These buses will be operated till the end of the fair.