FE Report

As many as 38 Japanese companies and others demanded compensation on Monday for the losses they incurred due to a government event that disrupted the last day of the Japan Trade Fair in the city.

Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) in association with Embassy of Japan and Japan External Trade Organisation Dhaka organised the event from October 15 to 17 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

But due to a function of a government agency at the same venue at the same time, the exhibitors were forced to stay out on the last of the three-day fair, causing huge losses in their business, a JBCCI statement said.

The fair attracted over 7,000 visitors on the first two days and the organisers expected another 8,000 visitors on the third and final day of the event.

"But due to a clash of programmes a day was lost for business," the statement signed by JBCCI president Abdul Haque said.

"As a result, the exhibitors suffered huge losses due to the disruption and thus they have claimed for compensation," he said without elaborating on the extent of the compensation claim.

Mr Haque said the image of Bangladesh was tarnished as this was a violation of international norms, which disregarded the agreement signed between the organisers and the centre authority.

"This happened at a time when the government has been seeking foreign investments in the country very seriously," he said.

The fair where 38 companies exhibited Japanese automobiles, industrial sewing machines, apparels, household electrical and electronic products and leather goods in the fourth biennial showcase, booked orders worth about Tk 250 million, the statement added.