DITF 2024 beings tomorrow with fewer int'l participants
There will be 16-18 pavilions for foreign companies
The 28th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is set to kick off tomorrow with only six foreign countries participating this year.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the fair at 10:30am at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal.
Companies from Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Iran will exhibit their products this year, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu said.
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There will be 351 stalls, including 16-18 pavilions for the foreign companies, at the month-long fair, he said at a press conference today.
In the 27th edition last year, ten countries — India, Hong Kong, Turkiye, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Pakistan, Thailand and Nepal — participated. Their companies had 17 stalls at the fair.
Buyers, visitors and promoters said the fair has great potential in building bonds between local and foreign entrepreneurs. However, it is losing its charm as the participation of foreign countries is decreasing.
State Minister Ahsanul said the fair's month-long duration tends to deter many international companies from participating in the event.
"Nevertheless, one of the goals is to promote our local industries. Our goal is to diversify exports. The fair will further accelerate this objective," the state minister said.
He added that commercial councillors of foreign missions will be invited to the fair to do product branding.
The fair is co-organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
AHM Ahsan, vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), said the fair will have 351 stalls, including pavilions. He said, there will be 16 to 18 foreign pavilions this time.
Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said the fair has been held 17 times since 1995. It has become an annual festival.
He said "We're expanding the fair with a new building behind the permanent venue. It will include storage for participants, dormitories with about 200 capacity," he added.
The entry fee for the fair has been Tk50 for general visitors and Tk25 for children below 12 years.
The fair will open at 10am and close at 9pm on weekdays. On weekends, the visitors can stay until 10pm.
Buses will be available from Farmgate to connect with Metrorail and Elevate Expressway to facilitate travel to the fair. Besides, there will be a dedicated BRTC service and some passenger buses from Kuril Bishwa Road to the fair premises.
