Sheikh Iraj

The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2017  started on January 1 and is now nearing its end. Traditionally, we have a number of different fairs held throughout the country, but for Dhaka residents, it’s the biggest fair of them all. The month-long trade fair allows local and foreign manufacturers to showcase their products. Besides prominent business houses, the fair encourages young entrepreneurs to participate and put their products on display. The fair also gives students job opportunities to earn some extra cash in a short period of time. People from the city and outside come and visit the fair. Today, besides being a centre for commerce, the fair has turned into a place where everyone can visit with family and friends. There, people from all walks of life get to spend some quality time, at a relatively cheap price. For many, the fair is a perfect place to organise get-togethers, or just hang out. The youth in general consider it to be one of the most happening places to be in Dhaka in the month of January. For them, visiting the fair is a must and it will be hard to find any youth living in Dhaka who doesn’t plan to visit it at least once. This week, Y&I spoke with some young visitors, volunteers, entrepreneurs, organisers and law enforcement agents about their thoughts, plans and expectations regarding this year’s fair.

Faysal Ahmed Ruble, Visitor

I came to the fair with my family and I am going to come again with my friends. Every year we come to visit the fair, and it’s a must for all of my friends. Dhaka International Trade Fair is the place to be in January. This year, the fair environment looks more organised, but I am not particularly happy with the security checking. We just had a major terrorist attack in our country and we can’t afford to take any risks now. There are metal detectors, but I think there should be another layer of security checking. I like that there are no street vendors and no traffic jam outside the fair grounds. Kudos to the traffic police here for managing the situation so nicely.

Sumiya Akter Alo, Visitor

I just got married and I have come to visit the fair with my husband. We were discussing places we could visit in January, and today we decided to come here. It’s such a small world, we came here about a couple of hours ago and already we have met three of our old friends. We are window shopping at the moment. We have plans to come back next week. We got some tea, but we don’t want to eat here. I remember when I was a student I used to come here regularly with my friends. This year, the fair looks neater, although I can’t understand the map. Every year I get puzzled after looking at the fair map, perhaps they will make it simpler from next year.    
   
Md Monir Hossain, Owner, Feet Fair

I started my business just after completing my studies. Last year, I participated in the fair and it was profitable for me, that’s why I have come back this year. I import shoes from China and Thailand and sell those to our local buyers. I have nine shops in different shopping malls of the capital. This year, I have invested around Taka 80 lakh. So far, we are receiving a good response from buyers and hopefully, we will make some profit this year as well. People of all ages come to my shop, but young people tend to buy more shoes. I am 30 years old and I know what the youth want. We are excepting more people to come this time. This year the security is good and there are no street vendors at the fair, that’s good for business.

Taijul Islam, Co-owner, Priyanka Fast Food

Since 2011, my father and I have been setting up this fast food shop at the fair. At our shop, one can get their tummy full for Taka 100. Since we buy the main ingredients from others, we pay our suppliers extra to deliver us only the fresh produce. If you go to different restaurants at the fair, you will see many are charging extra money for no reason. Some of them even ask their customers to pay VAT, but that’s something they have made up by themselves as they don’t pay any VAT to the government. For example, water is the most sold item in the fair, so with the permission of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) we charge only taka five extra for each bottle. Many customers come to us and get surprised when they see our price. Some of them even complain that other restaurants just charged them double for what we are offering. After completing my graduation, I decided to become an entrepreneur and my family gave me the support I needed. I always wanted to be involved with farming. So last year I started a dairy farm at Mymensingh. I have eight staff at the fair and most of them are students. I believe it’s a good opportunity for them to gather some real life business experience and earn a good amount of money as well.   

Md Firoz Al Mamun, Volunteer, Help the People Foundation

‘Help the People Foundation’ is a non-profit organisation. I am studying MBA at Uttara University and working as a volunteer for the Foundation. I started volunteering here because I always wanted to do something for our society. Of course, I will get an experience certificate from the organisation after working for one year. This year, we are raising money for three critically ill children. We need nine lakh taka for their treatment. We have set up some charity boxes in different places at the fair and at night, the fair organisers come and collect the money. We are hopeful we will be able to raise enough money for the treatment of the children.  

Siddique Mon Jerin, Volunteer, Walton  

I am studying Home Economics. Last year also I worked at the fair, but for a different company. This year in August I applied for this post and I was selected. I am having no problem with balancing my studies and my work. I have consulted with my teachers and they have allowed me to work here. I am happy with the pay I am getting. Besides having a regular allowance, we get sales commission, too. This year, we are receiving an overwhelming response. Our products are very trendy and within a decent price range. That is why many young people are coming to our stalls and buying our products.

Mafruha Sultana, Vice Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau

The main goal of the Dhaka International Trade Fair is to highlight local entrepreneurs and their products. At the same time, we allow foreign traders to participate, that way people can compare between foreign and local goods. The consumers get a good idea of international standard as well. This year, there are 580 stalls at the fair. This is the 22nd Dhaka International Trade Fair, and to mark this landmark we have taken some special steps to make the fair more visitor friendly. We are selling tickets online through www.shohoz.com. On our website, we have all the necessary information and one will find links to 3D pictures of the fair. So far, we have received positive response from the crowd. We are the organisers and it’s the positive feedback from the people and from the media that encourages us to go further. Every year a number of young entrepreneurs participate at the fair and we always encourage them.

Md Tofazzal Hossain,
Sub-Inspector, Dhaka Metropolitan Police

Besides police, other law enforcement agencies like RAB and Bangladesh Ansar are handling the security at the fair. We have setup 180 CCTV cameras, which are monitored non-stop. There are 21 police posts and over a thousand members of the police are working in three different shifts. In every shift, around 60 police women are present. This year we have not received any ‘eve-teasing’ or harassment complaints. We are ready to face any untoward situation at the fair, our members are keeping a close eye on everything. If we receive any complaint, our members will be at the spot as soon as possible. We have a makeshift jail at the fair and our duty officers are present all the time. This year, one won’t find any street vendors working inside the fair.

Photos: File