Weekend draws huge crowd at DITF

FE Report

Thousands of enthusiastic people Friday thronged the venue of Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2009 in the capital as it was a week-end holiday.

Visitors from all walks of life came to the 14th month-long fair, the biggest annual business carnival of the country-some in search of everyday commodities that they can buy at a cheaper rate, while others stroll down here and there for a late afternoon pleasant trip.

Organizers said people in large numbers are spontaneously coming to the annual fair, jointly organized by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Ministry of Commerce, and they are utilizing their week-end holiday away from the otherwise busy city life.

Zakir Ahmed, assistant director EPB told the FE people are responding well. They are coming with their near and dear ones. Some foreigners also visited the fair.

"The visitors are coming to the fair in large numbers. Most of them are females. But the overall response is spontaneous."

He informed the well-decorated fairground has been illuminated with colorful lights and it has, according to him, undoubtedly turned into an entertainment centre.

Banker Zannatul Ferdous from Uttara came with her two daughters. She admitted she could make it as it was a weekly holiday and she unhesitatingly showed this reporter what she has already bought- some household materials made of ceramics and two homemade saris.

Ms Ferdous thanked the organizers for arranging such a big fair as it offers, she said, opportunity to choose from a wide variety of options- foreign and local. She also said she would try to visit every Friday.

Abu Zaid Rana, a Dhaka University student, gave a different kind of statement who has come with his friends. He said, "We are not serious buyers actually. I just have a look at the latest models of electronic items and hang out with my friends at the food shops".

Zakir Ahmed also said the participating firms are upbeat about a good sale as visitors have already started buying, which is, according to them, a bit unusual at the start of any fair. Usually sale gets momentum after first few days, he said.

Some participating firms were seen working to decorate their pavillions on Thursday, the first day of the fair and the EPB official also admitted it. But they have, he added, already finished their remaining works.

This year a total of 467 pavilions and stalls including 22 from partner country Sri Lanka, the United States, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, China, Turkey, India, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Pakistan are participating in the fair to showcase and sell their products and services.

Of the total 467 stalls, the number of pavilion is 61, the number of semi-pavilion is 46, the number of stall is 348 and the number of restaurant is 12.

Besides, four centres have been set up for mother and children at the fair venue. Various rides are available to provide entertainment to visiting children, officials said.

Organizers said tight security measures have been taken to make sure that the annual fair is free from any trouble. "The security team headed by Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner has been working. Archway and metal detector have been set up at the entrance. Over 40 closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) have been installed to monitor the whole area and around 800 security personnel from Rapid Action Battalion, police and ansar have been deployed to maintain security," they added.

Officials of EPB said the fair was being held since 1995 to offer scope to new local producers and manufactures so that they can get chance to show their talent which will pave the way to woo foreign buyers. It also offers similar opportunity to foreign firms.

Apart from this, winning orders from buyers is one of its main targets and officials hope they will be able to make it double this time. Last year the local participants received spot orders worth Tk. 220 million.

The participating firms also sell their products worth millions. Last year the total sale at DITF was around Tk. 110 million which will increase this time, director (Finance) of EPB Mohammad Mostafa said Wednesday.

EPB hopes the fair will attract on average 0.1 million visitors everyday. Last year a total of around 3 million people visited the fair.

Organizers said Dhaka City Corporation is responsible for ensuring cleanliness of the fairground and maintaining hygiene of the public toilets while personnel from Fire Service and Civil Defence will remain vigilant with water carrier and fire extinguishing equipments.

The entry fee has been fixed at Tk.12 for adult (over 12 years) and Tk. 7 for children (3-12 years), organizers said.