Holding “political unrest” and “confusion regarding holding the fair” responsible, a number of participants of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) this year, have expressed disappointment over a decline in sales.
This year, there was uncertainty over the holding of the fair, and eventually it was postponed by 10 days because of political instability in the country.
The participants said they could not achieve their estimated sales target as the presence of visitors remained less than expectated.
The revenue collection from VAT (value added tax) also declined by 12.79% compared to last year. The government collected Tk86.71lakh from VAT in the first 27 days last year, however, this year it came down to Tk75.68lakh, said a customs officer seeking anonymity.
“We have been able to reach 60% of our sales target. People were not able to purchase because the country’s economy is down, having been badly hit by political unrest,” said MD Yasin Majumdar, Sales Manager of Electro Mart Limited.
Rafiqul Islam, an executive of Ifad Multi Products Limited said: “We did not get the desired response from visitors, and have achieved only 70% of the sales target.”
The visitor turnout could have been be better if there had been no political instability, he said.
Talking to different participants at the fair, it was learnt that a good number of stall and pavilion owners were facing difficulties in recouping their trade expenses.
“Compared to last year, sales have declined by 50% this year. I have to pay my staff, incurring losses,” said Abdul Mannan, a sales executive at Opi Fashion.
Moreover, the visitors’ turnout declined further yesterday in the wake of the inauguration of the Ekushey Book Fair, opined a number of traders.
“Before the inauguration of the Ekushey Book Fair, a good number of visitors, particularly students, attended the fair, but now we see fewer visitors as the book fair has attracted most of them,” said MD Ashraful, a sales executive at the Polar Ice-cream pavilion.
Although most of the stall owners failed to reach their targets, some stalls including those selling crockery, home appliances, and plastic products, had good sales results.
“Our sales have increased by around 20% compared to previous year,” Rony, an executive of Bengal Plastic said.
However, he said the sale could have been better if there had been no political unrest and doubt about holding the fair.
The 19th DITF started on January 11 and will end on February 10.