Dhaka International Trade Fair 2018

Tania Akhter and her husband Hasanuzzaman Mintu were looking at some refrigerators at a pavilion selling home appliances on recent evening at the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF). “We need to buy a new refrigerator for our family. We also plan to get some other household items from here,” said Akhter, 32. “I think the price of the products is high now. I will go to another stall to check the price, we will decide then. Besides, I will get some Iranian and Chinese products, too.”

“Many stalls with the same kind of products are set up together here, and different brands are available. There are also separate pavilions for furniture, electronic goods, home furnishings and other household goods, with new designs and models. Each stall also offers some discount if we buy from them. They also arrange home delivery service for us,” Mintu said, explaining the reason for coming to the annual fair at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar in the capital.

At the month-long fair, vendors, buyers and visitors can compare domestic products to foreign ones. At the same time, entrepreneurs can find fresh ideas to start new ventures. In addition, many foreign buyers come to the fair and local businesses get export orders from them. They then produce and supply the products accordingly. Apart from that, the fair in recent years has turned into a leisure venue for families and friends to enjoy timeout together.

The vast venue of the DITF was seen crowded with visitors, buyers and vendors on January 7. Among them, some were busy buying items of their choice, while others were browsing through products to get later.

Like every year, home appliances were the main attraction among the visitors. People throng to DITF to buy household electronics that come at discount prices, or with gifts. The vendors were hopeful sales would be good this year.

Golam Murtaja, 36, owner of a stall who has been taking part in the fair for five years, said, “Most of our products are household items. We come to the fair with some new products every year. We decorate our stall with new and old products and offer 20 percent discount for customers. Our sale is going on moderately and we hope it will increase very soon.”

About product promotion, Abdullah Al Mamun, in-charge at LG Electronics pavilion, said: “We are introducing new products to buyers at this fair. So, we are offering discounts from Tk 500 to Tk1,000 on different items. We also give raffle coupons. There is also 5-100 percent full cash back arrangement through raffle draws.”

As there were some complains regarding customs duties and clearance among the foreign participants last year, the government has made the process easier this year.

Regarding delivery of their products from customs, Irshad Ahamad, 38, owner of Reshi Cashmere from Kashmir, India, said: “This is the first time we have received our goods on time from the customs and they did not add any extra charge. But it took a long time last year. Our products include different types of Kashmiri handwork items, like bedcovers, cushion covers and curtains.We have also Kashmiri shawls that range from Tk 2,000 to Tk 20,000. We are expecting good sales in the coming days of the fair.”

About the reason for taking part at DITF, Ahamad added, “Besides customers, visitors also come to our stall and get some idea about our Kashmiri art works. We love the customers of Bangladesh and that is why we come again and again.”

Saleh Ahmed, 23, a university student, was working as a salesman at an imitation jewellery stall in the foreign pavilion. “We have five salesmen in our stall, Rang Tuli. We have imported products from Korea, China and India. Customers are getting a new experience from these unique designs of jewelleries. We also earn some extra money from this fair.”

Mina Lau, a vendor at the foreign pavilion who was selling different types of products for children, women and men from China, said: “Customers are coming to us and seeing our products. They bargain with us. These are new products for them. So, some are buying them.”

Shohel Ahmed, owner of Red Fashion, was at the fair to see different types of products and take the opportunity to introduce himself to the buyers. The 27-year-old entrepreneur, said, “Mainly I am dealing in menswear. This year, I have a plan to export my items. So, I have come here to see the quality of foreign products."

Da Moo Raveevan, 52, a businesswoman from Thailand who has been participating in the fair for the past eight years, said: "Most of the products at my stall are cosmetics made by our local women. The Bangladeshi customers are getting new idea from my products. I am getting a large number of customers every day, and I expect good sales this year.”

Threeya, 55, another businesswoman from Thiland, added, “It is my first visit to this fair. I am also selling women’s accessories. Some of my products are handmade, which were designed by me. Actually, I am not a professional designer, but from my personal interest I do that. This is a nice experience, taking part in the DITF. Bangladeshi customers are very good. We are happy with them.”

Some local young people were seen aiding the foreign vendors. Biplab Chowdhury has been working with the Thai women for five years. The 30-year-old sales representative,  said, “I help the Thai ladies with their business so they will bring more people from Thailand to take part in the fair in future.”

Many Bangladeshi businessmen also had stalls at the foreign pavilion with imported goods to introduce them to local customers. SM Nasim, who had imported Canadian and German products, said, “We sell Canadian and German organic products. We have seen a good response from the customers. These products are new to them, and so we try to make them know more about them. Our products are for skincare, including anti-aging and moisturising creams.”

Shahin Sarder, 27, owner of a handicraft stall at the foreign pavilion, said, “We sell different types of showpieces, souvenirs and other handicraft items. We have imported these products from India. We have six vendors in our team. Though this is the start of the fair, we are selling our goods reasonably well.”

At the women’s corner of the fair, some women entrepreneurs were seen selling their products. Soeri Sultana, 33, an entrepreneur and owner of Soeri’s, said, “We have our own showroom at Gulshan. Most of our products are from New Delhi, India. We have many new collections, including salwar-kameez sets, wedding gowns, party outfits, and many more. We are happy with the customers. They may have some problem with the prices, but we hope they will be understanding and come to us to buy their desired products.”

Talking to The Weekend Independent at a temporary office on the fair premises, Avijit Chowdhury, member secretary of DITF 2018, said: “Some 589 stalls, including 20 reserved for women, have been set up, and 43 companies from 17 countries are taking part in the trade fair this year.”

“The fair venue has become a display centre for the products of entrepreneurs from both home and abroad. They not only sell their goods here, but also compare the quality of each other’s products," he said, explaining the reason for arranging the fair every year for the past 23 years.  

“We have added some interesting things this year for entertainment.  Two children’s parks, and an eco-park based on the Sundarbans have been built for the amusement of young visitors. Besides, in the Bangabandhu Pavilion, we are displaying 26 paintings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by prominent artists that depict how a child became the Father of the Nation. We have also installed two touch screen panels where any visitor can find any stall easily,” Chowdhury said, describing new attraction at this year’s fair. “We have made the main gate of the fair based on the designs of Padma Bridge and Dhaka Gate to represent the development process of our national economy."

Regarding security measures, the DITF official said: "We have ensured security on the fairgrounds with adequate number of law enforcers, including Ansar, VDP, police and RAB members. Besides, the fire service has been employed to ensure fire safety. We try our best to offer optimum facilities to the visitors."

Realising the importance of trade fairs to develop the ccountry's economy, the government is planning to establish a permanent fair ground to bring DITF up to a more global standard.

“The construction work of a permanent fairground is going on at Purbachal (Rupganj), in collaboration with China. It is a Tk 8.5 billion project on 20 acres of land. We have asked for another 10 acres of land from the government. We will build a hotel and parking area around the main fairground. We hope the project will be completed by December 2019. Then many types of fairs and expos can be arranged there around the year,” said Chowdhury, who is also a director general of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

DITF 2018, which began on January 1, is organised jointly by EPB and the Ministry of Commerce. It will continue until January 31 and remain open from 10 am to 10 pm. If you want to buy some products for your family, then the DITF is a must visit for you. n

Photos: Nabiulla Nabi, Nazmul Islam.

Dhaka International Trade Fair 2018

Tania Akhter and her husband Hasanuzzaman Mintu were looking at some refrigerators at a pavilion selling home appliances on recent evening at the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF). We need to buy a new refrigerator for our family. We also plan to get some other household items from here, said Akhter, 32. I think the price of the products is high now. I will go to another stall to check the price, we will decide then. Besides, I will get some Iranian and Chinese products, too. Many stalls with the same kind of products are set up together here, and different brands are available. There are also separate pavilions for furniture, electronic goods, home furnishings and other household goods, with new designs and models. Each stall also offers some discount if we buy from them. They also arrange home delivery service for us, Mintu said, explaining the reason for coming to the annual fair at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar in the capital. At the month-long fair, vendors, buyers and visitors can compare domestic products to foreign ones. At the same time, entrepreneurs can find fresh ideas to start new ventures. In addition, many foreign buyers come to the fair and local businesses get export orders from them. They then produce and supply the products accordingly. Apart from that, the fair in recent years has turned into a leisure venue for families and friends to enjoy timeout together. The vast venue of the DITF was seen crowded with visitors, buyers and vendors on January 7. Among them, some were busy buying items of their choice, while others were browsing through products to get later. Like every year, home appliances were the main attraction among the visitors. People throng to DITF to buy household electronics that come at discount prices, or with gifts. The vendors were hopeful sales would be good this year. Golam Murtaja, 36, owner of a stall who has been taking part in the fair for five years, said, Most of our products are household items. We come to the fair with some new products every year. We decorate our stall with new and old products and offer 20 percent discount for customers. Our sale is going on moderately and we hope it will increase very soon. About product promotion, Abdullah Al Mamun, in-charge at LG Electronics pavilion, said: We are introducing new products to buyers at this fair. So, we are offering discounts from Tk 500 to Tk1,000 on different items. We also give raffle coupons. There is also 5-100 percent full cash back arrangement through raffle draws. As there were some complains regarding customs duties and clearance among the foreign participants last year, the government has made the process easier this year. Regarding delivery of their products from customs, Irshad Ahamad, 38, owner of Reshi Cashmere from Kashmir, India, said: This is the first time we have received our goods on time from the customs and they did not add any extra charge. But it took a long time last year. Our products include different types of Kashmiri handwork items, like bedcovers, cushion covers and curtains.We have also Kashmiri shawls that range from Tk 2,000 to Tk 20,000. We are expecting good sales in the coming days of the fair. About the reason for taking part at DITF, Ahamad added, Besides customers, visitors also come to our stall and get some idea about our Kashmiri art works. We love the customers of Bangladesh and that is why we come again and again. Saleh Ahmed, 23, a university student, was working as a salesman at an imitation jewellery stall in the foreign pavilion. We have five salesmen in our stall, Rang Tuli. We have imported products from Korea, China and India. Customers are getting a new experience from these unique designs of jewelleries. We also earn some extra money from this fair. Mina Lau, a vendor at the foreign pavilion who was selling different types of products for children, women and men from China, said: Customers are coming to us and seeing our products. They bargain with us. These are new products for them. So, some are buying them. Shohel Ahmed, owner of Red Fashion, was at the fair to see different types of products and take the opportunity to introduce himself to the buyers. The 27-year-old entrepreneur, said, Mainly I am dealing in menswear. This year, I have a plan to export my items. So, I have come here to see the quality of foreign products. Da Moo Raveevan, 52, a businesswoman from Thailand who has been participating in the fair for the past eight years, said: Most of the products at my stall are cosmetics made by our local women. The Bangladeshi customers are getting new idea from my products. I am getting a large number of customers every day, and I expect good sales this year. Threeya, 55, another businesswoman from Thiland, added, It is my first visit to this fair. I am also selling womens accessories. Some of my products are handmade, which were designed by me. Actually, I am not a professional designer, but from my personal interest I do that. This is a nice experience, taking part in the DITF. Bangladeshi customers are very good. We are happy with them. Some local young people were seen aiding the foreign vendors. Biplab Chowdhury has been working with the Thai women for five years. The 30-year-old sales representative, said, I help the Thai ladies with their business so they will bring more people from Thailand to take part in the fair in future. Many Bangladeshi businessmen also had stalls at the foreign pavilion with imported goods to introduce them to local customers. SM Nasim, who had imported Canadian and German products, said, We sell Canadian and German organic products. We have seen a good response from the customers. These products are new to them, and so we try to make them know more about them. Our products are for skincare, including anti-aging and moisturising creams. Shahin Sarder, 27, owner of a handicraft stall at the foreign pavilion, said, We sell different types of showpieces, souvenirs and other handicraft items. We have imported these products from India. We have six vendors in our team. Though this is the start of the fair, we are selling our goods reasonably well. At the womens corner of the fair, some women entrepreneurs were seen selling their products. Soeri Sultana, 33, an entrepreneur and owner of Soeris, said, We have our own showroom at Gulshan. Most of our products are from New Delhi, India. We have many new collections, including salwar-kameez sets, wedding gowns, party outfits, and many more. We are happy with the customers. They may have some problem with the prices, but we hope they will be understanding and come to us to buy their desired products. Talking to The Weekend Independent at a temporary office on the fair premises, Avijit Chowdhury, member secretary of DITF 2018, said: Some 589 stalls, including 20 reserved for women, have been set up, and 43 companies from 17 countries are taking part in the trade fair this year. The fair venue has become a display centre for the products of entrepreneurs from both home and abroad. They not only sell their goods here, but also compare the quality of each others products, he said, explaining the reason for arranging the fair every year for the past 23 years. We have added some interesting things this year for entertainment. Two childrens parks, and an eco-park based on the Sundarbans have been built for the amusement of young visitors. Besides, in the Bangabandhu Pavilion, we are displaying 26 paintings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by prominent artists that depict how a child became the Father of the Nation. We have also installed two touch screen panels where any visitor can find any stall easily, Chowdhury said, describing new attraction at this years fair. We have made the main gate of the fair based on the designs of Padma Bridge and Dhaka Gate to represent the development process of our national economy. Regarding security measures, the DITF official said: We have ensured security on the fairgrounds with adequate number of law enforcers, including Ansar, VDP, police and RAB members. Besides, the fire service has been employed to ensure fire safety. We try our best to offer optimum facilities to the visitors. Realising the importance of trade fairs to develop the ccountrys economy, the government is planning to establish a permanent fair ground to bring DITF up to a more global standard. The construction work of a permanent fairground is going on at Purbachal (Rupganj), in collaboration with China. It is a Tk 8.5 billion project on 20 acres of land. We have asked for another 10 acres of land from the government. We will build a hotel and parking area around the main fairground. We hope the project will be completed by December 2019. Then many types of fairs and expos can be arranged there around the year, said Chowdhury, who is also a director general of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). DITF 2018, which began on January 1, is organised jointly by EPB and the Ministry of Commerce. It will continue until January 31 and remain open from 10 am to 10 pm. If you want to buy some products for your family, then the DITF is a must visit for you. n Photos: Nabiulla Nabi, Nazmul Islam.