The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) yesterday attracted a huge crowd, given it was the last holiday before the fair ends on February 10.
Visitors flocked to the country's biggest trade show with their near and dear ones to make their final purchases, mostly household items.
The traditionally month-long fair is organised every year by the Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce from January 1 till January 31.
But this year, following the continuous blockades since January 6, the government on January 25 announced an extension of DITF 2015 by 10 days, with the new end date of the fair on February 10.
The decision came as the BNP-led 20-party alliance continued with their blockade programmes, discouraging presence, and in turn disrupting sales, at the fair.
During the visit to the fair, this correspondent found most visitors thronging stalls and pavilions of kitchenware, plastic products, home appliance and electronic goods to buy utensils for daily life.
“I came here to enjoy the holiday with the friends as normally we cannot go out due to blockade,” said Ahnaf Chowdhury, a student of Stamford University, adding that it was his last holiday, so he wanted to utilise it by making some purchases.
“I had wanted to visit Fantasy Kingdom with my two children since first of January, but could not keep that promise considering the country's political situation,” said M Zahedul Alam, a private banker. “Since I failed to visit the theme park, I came here today to enjoy the day with my daughter and son and to buy some household items with my wife.”
Shamsun Naha, a Mirpur resident, had different reasons to come here on the last holiday. “Every year, on the last day of the fair, I visit the fair as it offers discount for the customers and I always get lucky. I buy products in bulk, especially household, crockery and other items.”
However, traders are not satisfied about the fair sales as there has been countrywide shutdowns since the inception of the month-long expo.
Arif Hossain, a sales executive of RFL Plastic, said: “Though we have witnessed a lot of visitors and had good sales today [Friday], the overall sales did not match our expectation due to continuous political programme such as hartal and blockade.”
The Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce jointly organise the month-long DITF at the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area. The trade fair will remain open to visitors from 10.00am to 10.00pm everyday till February 10.
