The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), 2014, the 19th edition of the annual event, begins here on Saturday with a high hope of fetching significant export orders.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair, a platform for both local and foreign producers to showcase the products, at city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on the grounds to the west of the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the morning.
Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed briefed the media about the features of this year’s fair at the DITF secretariat on Friday, reports UNB.
Additional Commerce Secretary ATM Mortoza Reza Chowdhury and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice Chairman Subhasish Bose were also present.
Apart from Bangladesh, 12 foreign countries from Asia, North America and Europe will participate in the fair arranged by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Commerce Ministry.
The participating countries are China, India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Iran, South Korea, Thailand, the USA, Pakistan, Turkey and Singapore. There will be a separate zone for the foreign participants.
The organizers are expecting that nearly one lakh visitors every day in the mega trade event.
A pavilion titled ‘Bangabandhu Memorial Pavilion’ has also been set up in the DITF this year too for projecting the history of the Liberation War before the young generation.
Meanwhile, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the Dhaka International Trade Fair.
In his message, the President said, “Over the years, DITF has been playing a very important role in socio-economic development of Bangladesh. And it has also been established as an excellent centre for recreation and trade as well.”
He said the DITF-2014 would offer a unique opportunity for trade expansion, market development and diversification of commodities and renewal of bondage of friendship and cooperation as well among buyers and sellers of the country.
The Prime Minister, in her message, said the buyers will be able to judge the quality of products directly in the fair. “I hope the DITF-2014 will generate great enthusiasm among local producers and foreign buyers.”
Hasina said it would also help develop the competitive edge in the global market and thus create a new scope for increasing export. “Besides, it has become an annual event of mass confluence and amusement.”
She said the government has created a congenial atmosphere for expanding trade and investment in Bangladesh. “Huge development has been ensured in the infrastructure sector.”
The Prime Minister also said foreign investors and buyers now find Bangladesh as a very attractive destination.
Earlier, the government deferred the event, originally scheduled to begin on January 1, by 10 days due to volatile political situation before the 10th parliamentary elections.
The deferral came following frequent requests made by the participants. As per the new schedule, the fair will end on February 10.
The fair has long acted also as a recreational event for Dhakaites, as a regular feature of the winter social calendar.
