Indian stalls dominate foreign brands at Dhaka Trade Fair

Indian product stalls dominate foreign representation at the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), showing no impact from the Dhaka-Delhi tensions following Bangladesh's political changeover last August.

This year, 11 companies from seven countries are participating, marking a decline in foreign participation compared to the last two years. 

In 2023, 17 companies from 12 foreign countries joined the fair, while in 2024, there were 16 to 18 foreign pavilions featuring countries, according to organisers.

The commerce ministry and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), which organise the fair, said the participating countries this year include India, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. 

However, more than 11 stalls have been observed selling foreign products.

Md Anwar Hossain, vice chairman of EPB, told TBS, "We officially received 11 companies from seven countries. It seems that some stall owners might have allowed others to sell foreign products."

Around 50 stalls were selling Indian products, with about 30 in the main pavilion, including Kashmiri shawls, shoes, cosmetics, clothes, and handicrafts. Of these, around 20 were in "Hall B," the main building of the fair. 

"I've never seen so many Indian product stalls in Hall B. It feels like this section is an Indian product fair. We should give more opportunities to our local entrepreneurs," said visitor Habibur Rahman, while sharing his views with TBS.  

The stalls at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal are divided into "Hall-A" and "Hall-B," with additional stalls outside the main building. Indian stalls are selling Kashmiri shawls, one-piece and three-piece outfits, mufflers, carpets, and more. 

At a Kashmiri shawl stall in Hall-A, sales worker Sheikh Mohammad Hiro shared, "We bring products directly from Jammu and Kashmir and attend the fair every year. The price of Kashmiri shawls ranges from Tk1,500 to Tk4,000. However, we're not selling much. We expected to make Tk2 lakh by Friday, but have only sold about Tk50,000."

Md Shabir, who runs a shop in Jamuna Future Park, said, "We bring shawls from Jammu and Kashmir, priced between Tk1,000 to Tk10,000." On Friday afternoon, a stall selling Kashmiri and Indian oriental carpets in "Hall B" attracted a crowd of buyers. Sales staff, overwhelmed by demand, said, "More buyers are coming later, which is good."

Indian bag and shoe shops at the fair were well-stocked, offering nagra, jutti, chappals, sandals, Banjara bags, and metal bags, while Bahari shoes were available at the Bomba Footwear stall. 

Upon entering through the main gate, one will find Delhi Aluminium Premium's stall on the right. It sells steel utensils and was crowded with customers. 

A buyer of Indian products mentioned, "I buy based on need. Kashmir shawl is famous, so I bought one, and now I've bought winter clothes."

At an Iranian stall, carpets were being sold, with Md Musa, a salesman, explaining that while the product quality is good, buyers feel the prices are too high. The price of a 3x5 feet carpet is Tk20,000, and a 6x10 feet carpet costs Tk95,000, but sales have been slow. 

Pakistani stalls offered sheets and various clothes, with Mohammad Sajjad mentioning that Pakistani Kashmir sheets were priced between Tk2,000 and Tk5,000, but sales have been lower this year compared to fairs in Agargaon. 

The 29th DITF will run through this month.