The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2020 attracted a huge crowd on the last two weekly holidays Friday and Saturday. The fair took a busy look since Friday after the Jumma prayer as the sellers received a number of customers while the visitors also gathered at the fair venue not only to bue products but also to mark the holiday along with their family members.
Russel Ahmed , a small entrepreneur selling handicrafts in the fair, said January 18 is the third Friday after the month-long fair has begun. So, it is important for them to offset their limited sales in earlier days. "The fair couldn't attract desired number of visitors on first Friday (Jan 3), as it was still in preparation phase." Russel said.
"The weather on this Friday (Jan 17) is also favourable for the visitors, as the mercury level is fluctuating at a comfortable level," he added while coping with the thronging visitors. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), with the support of the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), has organised the trade show.
Sources said the number of stalls has been reduced to 483 this year than that of previous year's 630 to ensure a congenial environment at the venue. Foreign traders from 21 countries, including India, China, Iran, Malaysia, Bhutan and Germany, have joined the fair alongside local businesses.
Moshfe Ara Shoheli, an employee at the Jagannath University along with her family members came to the fair to buy some household items. She lauded the organisers' decision to keep more open spaces this year to ensure the visitors' comfort. Shohely, however, blamed some companies for duping customers by selling locally manufactured goods in the name of foreign products.
The fair remains open for visitors from 10.00 am to 9.30 pm everyday with Tk 40 entry fees for each adult and Tk 20 for each minor. Data suggests that participating businesses bagged export orders worth US$30.43 million in the DITF 2017, $19.46 million in 2018, and $35.50 million in 2019.
