Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) on January 1 in the capital’s Purbachal area.
Preparations for the month-long 27th Dhaka International Trade Fair are going on in full swing and 80 percent of the work of the fair is almost completed at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) in the permanent building of Purbachal for the second time.
Extensive activities are going on throughout the fair premises. However, the main attraction of the visitors is the main gate of the trade fair.
Every year the trade fair surprises the visitors with the diversity of the entrance.
This year, the entrance will be made with metro rail on both sides and metro rail station in between to make a difference.
In addition, the Fair premises will be decorated with Economic Zone, Bangabandhu's portrait, Pavilion, Shishu Park, Fast Track project of the current government and various development activities, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
EPB secretary and trade fair director Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said that the trade fair will start from January 1 after its inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the day.
"Everyone is attracted to the entrance to the trade fair. This time the entrance of the trade fair will be made with metro rail, mega project and portrait of Bangabandhu to make a difference. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the work on the fairground was almost complete. Hopefully, the work will be completed before the start of the fair."
He said, the main attraction of the trade fair will be the entry gate. This year, the theme of gate are Metrorail, Economic Zone and the current government's Fast Track project, he mentioned.
However, the construction of hundreds of stalls in the inner and outer courtyards of Exhibition Center ‘A’ and ‘B’ is going on very enthusiastically.
Temporary stalls are made of wood, bamboo, hardboard. The construction of multi-storied pavilion with steel, brick and concrete is also in final stage.
Construction workers are working day and night. The stalls must be handed over within 25-30 December.
This time the environment is also better than last year. Traders are expecting a bustling trade fair as the road from Kuril to Purbachal is almost completed and the stalls have been expanded.
The International Trade Fair is going to be held at the permanent center of the trade fair in Sector 4 of Purbachal of Rupganj Upazila.
Traders and organizers want to organize the fair from the first day due to last year’s visitor drought.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Ministry of Commerce had been holding the fair since 1995 at a joint initiative at Agargaon in the capital.
However, for the first time last year, the trade fair was held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Sector 4 of Purbachal.
Md Iftekhar Ahmed said, the entry fee for this fair will be the same as last year. It will be Tk 40 for adults and Tk 20 for children.
"There will be special service for visitors to come from Kuril Bishwa Road to the fair grounds. BRTC buses will run from 8 am to 10 pm. Anybody can come to the fair premises for a fee of Tk 30. But this time the rent may be a little more as fuel price is high. This year too, 50 percent discount will be given on the entry ticket and bus ticket in Bkash. Last year Bkash provided this facility. This year also they will provide the same facility, he mentioned.
However, the administration will take all steps to ensure security to make the fair a success.
The fair will have stalls in 13 categories including general, premium, reserved, food stalls and restaurants.
‘Bangabandhu Pavilion’ will be there to let the visitors, especially the young generation, know the real history of liberation war.
More than three hundred companies from 12 countries including India, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Turkey, Korea will participate in this year’s fair.
105 more stalls have been participated this time than last year. A total of 331 stalls in the space inside and in front of the hall.
According to EPB sources, 4 teams of mobile court and consumer department officials will work round the clock to prevent various mismanagement at this fair.
