Panic grips the exhibitors at Dhaka International Trade Fair 2015 as the ongoing political unrest hits the country’s communication system that prevents people from visiting the fair.
In the last Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), participants failed to bag their expected sales and sales order from consumers due to low turnout of visitors as the country was hit hard by the political turmoil, centering the election held on January 5, 2014.
Talking to several exhibitors at the trade fair, it was found that they are frustrated at the political situation as it would impact their business. They also said they had to count losses due to political stalemate last year.
The visitors’ flow came down drastically yesterday due to the ongoing political stalemate, centering the BNP programme, said Firoz Al Mamun, head of marketing of Hatil.
“If I compare the presence of visitors with the previous day, I can say it is 70% less than that,” said Mamun.
The BNP and the ruling Awami League were at loggerheads in connection with their observance of January 5, which BNP terms democracy killing day, while the ruling party terming it as democracy emancipation day.
If the political deadlock continues, the fair would be affected severely, Mamun said, adding that they have showcased several unique items to draw buyers’ attention.
A visit to the Dhaka International Trade Fair revealed that sales executives were just whiling away their time as there were hardly enough visitors or customers at the stalls and pavilions.
The visitors cannot attend the fair due to unavailability of transport and fear of violence, said Abu Bakar Siddique of Jamuna Electronics.
The presence of visitors today (Monday) is very nominal in comparison with the previous day, Siddique said, adding that on Sunday it was a huge rush of visitors and the stalls were full of customers.
The main target of participation in the fair is to promote products and to make them familiar with the consumers, but if there is no visitor, there will be no successful mission.
The countrymen are virtually hostage to two political parties and they are doing politics for their own interest, not for the people and the country, said Sumon Hossain, sales executive of Hamko.
The government wants to keep a firm grip on the power while the BNP struggles to assume power through violence, added Sumon.
The political parties should come out of their destructive path of politics and reach consensus to ensure peaceful environment in the country, said the executive.
On the other hand, visitors that came to enjoy the biggest trade show of the country urged all political parties to shun violence and let them enjoy the month-long fair.
The 20th Dhaka International Trade Fair began on January 1 at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. It would continue till January 31.
