Banking services a great help for DITF exhibitors, visitors

If you are keen to visit the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, you can stop worrying about carrying large amounts of money on your way as different banking services are already available at the venue. The services include deposit and withdrawal of money, opening new bank account, money transfer and even mobile phone credit recharge. Five ATM Booths have been set up in the fair premises while a number of banks also had their own pavilions. Several banks, including the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL), First Security Islami Bank Limited (FSIBL) and Meghna Bank Ltd, have set up ATM booths for all to withdraw cash quickly. Presence of visitors was low in the first week as trading at the fair is yet to pick up, but the banks have been seen providing their full services. On Sunday, IBBL Business Promotion and Marketing Officer Md Moinul Islam told the Dhaka Tribune: “Here, (pavilion No 60) we are providing the visitors with all our facilities, including opening account, withdrawal from ATMs and deposit using IDM.” “Visitors are mainly using the ATMs to withdraw money, while the exhibitors are using IDM to deposit their money from the daily sale at the end of the day after closing shop,” he said.

Five ATM Booths have been set up in the fair premises and a number of banks also have their own pavilions       Photo: Rajib Dhar

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On average, around 300 customers received services every day from the IBBL pavilion in the first week of DITF. The FSIBL opened its ATM Booth (No 06) at the fair last Monday, from where debit and credit cardholders of any bank can withdraw money. Meghna Bank has also set up two booths at DITF, from where visitors can open new accounts, receive debit cards right away and facilities regarding deposit, withdrawal and transferring money. An official at one of the Meghna Bank booths told the Dhaka Tribune that a total of 198 new accounts were opened in the first week of DITF. Besides conventional banking, mobile banking facilities are also letting both traders and buyers heave a sigh of relief at the fair. bKash, a mobile financial service provider and a subsidiary of Brac Bank Limited, is offering special facilities for clients. Two bKash agent booths have been installed inside DITF premises and a third one outside (beside the entry gate). People can open new bKash accounts in the third booth and get one DITF entry ticket for free. Besides, existing account holders can pay for the entry tickets using bKash and enjoy a 100% cash back facility. bKash agent Md Mosharaf Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune they have provided services to around 150 visitors on average every day since the fair begun.