The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair ended yesterday with mixed reactions from exhibitors and fair organiser.
The organiser claimed that the fair fetched an export order of Tk235 crore from global retailers while it was Tk85 crore in the previous expo.
But the exhibitors said they have hardly witnessed foreign buyers or their representatives at the fair.
They also alleged that the annual trade assembly turned into a mess as some non-manufacturing items lacking international standards were put on the show.
Unlike the previous export order trend at DITF, the 2016 international trade expo witnessed an abnormal hike of 176% in export order.
“We did not see any foreign buyers at the fair,” Anisur Rahman, of Asian Textile told the Dhaka Tribune.
The buyers do not come here as arrangement is not up to the mark while publicity to attract buyers is not enough, he said.
Asked about the turnout of buyers, Md Yousuf Ali, secretary, Export Promotion Bureau, said: “We do not have any statistics about it, but foreign buyers show up every year.”
Like Asian Textile, several exhibitors echoed the same sentiment while talking to the Dhaka Tribune.
Meanwhile, addressing as the chief guest of the DITF closing ceremony, Commerce Minister Total Ahmed said: “Dhaka International Trade Fair has turned a festive occasion as tens of thousands of visitors make their ways into the fair.”
“We have received Tk235 crore export order this year,” said Tofail.
The minister attributed the existing political stability in the country to the robust growth in export order.
“We have high quality products, but there is a lack of initiative to attract foreign buyers,” Mahfuz Alam, manager of Bexi Fabrics at DIFT, told the Dhaka Tribune.
If EPB wants to draw attention of international buyers for the export-oriented products, it has to ensure enough facilities for the retailers, said Alam.
The buyers do not come here to place their orders, it is done though direct contract, said Md Bablu, Majestic Footwear.
Bublu suggested holding a small scale and separate trade expo for the export-oriented products. According to EPB, the fair witnessed a sale of Tk121.47 crore, which is Tk71 crore higher compared to that in previous year.
In 2015 trade fair, exhibitors were unhappy as the turnout was very low due to political unrest, which caused lackluster sale, but this year was an exception. The traders looked happy due to higher turnout of visitors at the fair and increased sale.
“We have received a good response from our local buyers,” Masud Rana, sales executive of Gazi Toys, told the Dhaka Tribune.
In his address as a special guest at the concluding ceremony of DITF, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Abdul Matlub Ahmed urged the government to organise the fair also at divisional levels.
Matlub also showed interest to be a part of the expo organiser.
Senor Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon said: “We are considering the proposal of the apex trade leaders about the arrangement of fair through Public Private Partnership.
Walton Hi-Tech Park has been awarded for paying the highest tax at the fair while Novo Nordisk for their contribution to first aid and providing ambulance to the expo authority to ensure quick treatment facilities in case of emergency.
Tajul Islam, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Commerce, and EPB Vice-Chairman Mafruha Sultana, were, among others, present at the closing event.
The month-long 21st Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2016 was hosted jointly by the Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce to display new products to attract global buyers as well as local consumers.
The fair ended yesterday with a huge turnout of local visitors and higher sales.
