The government has a plan to start the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-2021) on March 26 this time instead of first January due to Coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
Although the Covid-19 has created uncertainty about starting the trade fair, the government is preparing to organize the upcoming international trade fair in both virtual or online and physical presence, Nazmul Islam, the senior official of Export Promotion Bureau, told the Bangladesh post.
“The trade fair has been proposed to start this year on March 26,” he said adding that, all will be depending on the situation of coronavirus pandemic.
This time, the trade fair will be organized on its permanent premises at Purbachal in the capital, he mentioned.
The DITF has been held for a long time in the field next to the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
The project titled “Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center” is being implemented by the government at Purbachal in Narayanganj to make it look ‘international’ in reality.
The project, which started in 2015, was scheduled to end in December this year. But as it is not possible, the project is being extended till December 2021.
Rezaul Karim, project director of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, said, “It is not clear whether there will be a trade fair this time or not because of the coronavirus situation is not good.”
However, if the fair will be there, he said adding that, the main hall room has been standing for a long time. The rest of the work will be done soon.
“But, if the trade fair wants to make it an international standard, it needs to add something more. That will take more time,” he mentioned.
Abdur Rauf, deputy director of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), told the Bangladesh Post, “As I know, this time, the trade fair will not be organized in due time as the spread of Covid-19 infections has still higher.”
If the Covid-19 infections cannot not be brought under control within the shortest possible time, the trade fair will be canceled this time, he added.
Asked about the format of the virtual fair, a senior Commerce Ministry official said seeking anonymity, a stall or pavilion would be set up at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center to ensure social distance.
Those stalls or pavilions need to be arranged for online display, he said adding that, “As a result, visitors or buyers will be able to view all products online without having to visit the fair grounds. They can also purchase products as per your choice.”
He said that buyers from different countries will also be able to order products online. At present, fairs are being held this way in almost all the countries of the world, he added.
However, preparations are being made to organize the next trade fair in both virtual and physical presence, he said adding, this time the fair will be organized depending on the corona situation.
