Dhaka Trade Fair gains momentum

�People keen to visit stalls, not to buy�

The month-long 21st Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is gaining momentum, with thousands of visitors from Dhaka, as well as from different places across the country, are swarming to the country’s biggest trade show. Traders and different stall-owners from home and abroad have completed their decorations, barring a few exceptions, and are displaying their products at stalls and pavilions. It was the eighth day of the fair yesterday. A large number of visitors was seen roaming around the stalls and buying a product or two. They said they have got more time to choose products. “The crowd seems like visitors to a festival to me. The array of products from different countries always lures me to visit the exposition,” said Antora Biswas, a visitor from Dhanmondi.
“The fair is undoubtedly the best place to choose products as different countries, apart from Bangladesh, display their latest collections,” said another visitor from Sylhet. Most visitors were seen rushing to the shops, stalls and pavilions of kitchenware, home appliances and artificial jewellery. Besides, mobile phone pavilions are attracting many visitors and customers, as these mostly offer discounts or the latest models. Pavilions showcasing furniture are yet to attract similar numbers of patrons. However, though they are pleased with the ambience and security at the fair, stall-owners are not happy with the crowd as most of the people are not buying things—rather they are only window-shopping.
“Sales are yet to rise as most of the visitors are merely checking out the latest collections. They are keeping us busy, gathering information about our new products, but not buying,” said a salesman at RFL, a shop at the fair.
Crowds were also seen in the pavilions, where blazers of attractive designs are selling at only Tk 1,600 to Tk 1,800. Modi coats or Mujib coats are priced at Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,400. But frustration was writ large on the faces of the sellers, as most  visitors were leaving the stalls after just scrutinising the quality of the fabrics and trying out some of the apparel.
Though the fair began on January 1, a few of the stalls and mini pavilions are yet to open. Some of these are now half-finished, while construction has just started in some others. However, some visitors expressed dissatisfaction over the prices of products on sale at the fair. Sumon Chawdhury, a visitor, said, "There is lesser dust on the ground, and better car parking and toilet facilities. But many stalls are overcharging customers."
Patrons were mostly unhappy with the pricey food items. The stall-owners were charging nearly double the normal prices. A Tk 10 half-litre mineral
water bottle cost Tk 20 at the fair, and a plate of biryani, which normally costs Tk 120, was being sold for Tk 290.
DITF 2016, organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the commerce ministry is being held at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, to the west of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the month-long fair on January 1.

Dhaka Trade Fair gains momentum

�People keen to visit stalls, not to buy�

The month-long 21st Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is gaining momentum, with thousands of visitors from Dhaka, as well as from different places across the country, are swarming to the countrys biggest trade show. Traders and different stall-owners from home and abroad have completed their decorations, barring a few exceptions, and are displaying their products at stalls and pavilions. It was the eighth day of the fair yesterday. A large number of visitors was seen roaming around the stalls and buying a product or two. They said they have got more time to choose products. The crowd seems like visitors to a festival to me. The array of products from different countries always lures me to visit the exposition, said Antora Biswas, a visitor from Dhanmondi. The fair is undoubtedly the best place to choose products as different countries, apart from Bangladesh, display their latest collections, said another visitor from Sylhet. Most visitors were seen rushing to the shops, stalls and pavilions of kitchenware, home appliances and artificial jewellery. Besides, mobile phone pavilions are attracting many visitors and customers, as these mostly offer discounts or the latest models. Pavilions showcasing furniture are yet to attract similar numbers of patrons. However, though they are pleased with the ambience and security at the fair, stall-owners are not happy with the crowd as most of the people are not buying thingsrather they are only window-shopping. Sales are yet to rise as most of the visitors are merely checking out the latest collections. They are keeping us busy, gathering information about our new products, but not buying, said a salesman at RFL, a shop at the fair. Crowds were also seen in the pavilions, where blazers of attractive designs are selling at only Tk 1,600 to Tk 1,800. Modi coats or Mujib coats are priced at Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,400. But frustration was writ large on the faces of the sellers, as most visitors were leaving the stalls after just scrutinising the quality of the fabrics and trying out some of the apparel. Though the fair began on January 1, a few of the stalls and mini pavilions are yet to open. Some of these are now half-finished, while construction has just started in some others. However, some visitors expressed dissatisfaction over the prices of products on sale at the fair. Sumon Chawdhury, a visitor, said, There is lesser dust on the ground, and better car parking and toilet facilities. But many stalls are overcharging customers. Patrons were mostly unhappy with the pricey food items. The stall-owners were charging nearly double the normal prices. A Tk 10 half-litre mineral water bottle cost Tk 20 at the fair, and a plate of biryani, which normally costs Tk 120, was being sold for Tk 290. DITF 2016, organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the commerce ministry is being held at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka, to the west of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the month-long fair on January 1.