Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) has begun on its permanent fairground in the capital’s Purbachal area.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the 27th edition of the trade Fair on January 01 from Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BBCFEC).
As always, the magnetic pull of the fair charms habitual buyers and patrons, as evidenced by this year’s visitor response.
This fair is not only an exhibition of various products but also a stunning celebration of people coming from all over the country.
The major items that are put on parade at the fair venue include machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty products, electronics, jute, leather and sports goods, sanitaryware, toys, ceramics, fabrics, processed foods, furniture and handicrafts.
Although DITF takes place every year, the temptation of visiting the fair remains the same every year.
Most of the target visitors are families. The visitors are drawn to multiple attractive discounts, special offers, introductory prices, gifts and lotteries and what not.
The buying binge begins from day one, but it usually gathers momentum from mid-January.
However, the last week of the fair witnesses a hectic buying spree with people splurging on their best buys.
Taking to Bangladesh Post, many pavilions-in-charge of furniture companies said they have come up with a whole new range of products with different sizes and designs at the month-long trade Fair.
To attract clients, furniture makers have also set up display centres that ooze fashion and modernity in a gorgeous style, they added.
Leading furniture makers Partex, Hatil, Navana, Akhter, Regal and Delta, to name but a few, brought different types of bed, almirah, wardrobe, door, sofa, drawing table, dressing table, tea table and so on made of wood, plywood as well as board, they further said.
Pavilions-in-charge said they have offered up to 35 percent discount on 300 models of products.
At the fair, sales representatives of different pavilions are recruited for a month. Many pavilions include female representatives.
Jubaida Akter shared, “I love working at the fair because I find it interesting to talk to people. Customers ask different questions about the products… sometimes they start to chat about their daily life. It is fun!”
Ashikur Islam works for an electronic pavilion. He said, “I’m studying social work at Bangla College and live in Mirpur with my family. I’m happy to be here. Earning aside, my experience is a plus to get a permanent job.”
“Many students go abroad for higher studies and do part-time jobs there. If they get scope at home, there is no need for going abroad” he added.
The fair venue has also offered food courts and rides for kids. Kids are attracted to toy stores and parents take them for recreation. Sometimes, little children, especially boys, look feverish with a desire to buy toys in the baby product zone. Many console them with chocolates. Again, girls browse stalls to check out new jewellery and modern finery.
Dhaka International Trade Fair is not a trade expo for businessmen only, but a popular festival in the country as well.
Shumi Akter, who came from the Uttara area, said “We have got the chance of buying various items from the fair.”
She said “I usually buy different types of products from the fair as vendors give big discounts on the latest products.”
She bought many products, including cookerty, cosmetics, clothes, jewellery and toys for their children.
EPB secretary and trade fair director Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, “We are expecting that this edition of the trade fair will attract more visitors as we have arranged different types of facilities including bus service."
Meanwhile, this year, DITF will host a total of 331 stalls and 57 pavilions and mini pavilions.
There will be 17 stalls by companies from 10 countries, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Turkey, Malaysia, India, Pakistan and South Korea.
Like last year, the fair committee has set up a special BRTC bus service from Kuril Bishwa Road to Purbachal to make it easy for visitors to travel.
Apart from a huge parking lot, the exhibition centre on the outskirts of the capital also has an auditorium, conference rooms, restaurant, children’s play area, prayer room, medical booth, guest rooms, built-in public address system and a modern firefighting system.
The entry fee for this fair will be the same as last time, Tk 40 for adults and Tk 20 for children.
