Curtain rises on DITF today

The 23rd Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) will begin at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar today. DITF 2018 has been jointly organized by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh. The month-long fair focuses on boosting exports of the country and helping local businesses showcase Bangladeshi products in front of potential local and international buyers. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Center at 10am on Monday, said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Sunday. He also said that the fair not only boosts exports but will also become a hub of entertainment for city dwellers and outsiders for the month. According to the minister, the fair has been brought under “360 degree virtual tours” which include Google Street View, Facebook, website and mobile application. Visitors will be able to experience the fair in a unique manner this year, he added. “A total of 589 stalls have been allocated for exhibitors this year. Among these, 112 are pavilions, 77 are mini pavilions and 400 are stalls,” the minister said. Among them, 43 stalls have been booked by foreign companies from 17 countries, he added. According to the minister, the Bangabandhu pavilion of the fair has been made with extra effort as it will showcase the history of Bangladesh to the new generations. The main entrance of DITF 2018 has been built following the design of Padma Bridge to express our pride in our self-funded project, he added. Regarding safety measures, Tofail said the authorities have left no stone unturned to ensure safety to the visitors and businesses. There will be 60 different service centres of different law enforcement organizations, including police, RAB and other law enforcement agencies along with watch towers. Adequate number of law enforcement agencies officials will be deployed on the fair premises, the minister added. A magistrate will be present on the fair premises to take immediate action if someone lodges any complaint. Besides, a total of 100 CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor the whole area. The fair will be open for the visitors between 10am and 10pm every day. The entry fees has been set at Tk30 for adults and Tk20 for children.

Government postpones plan to hold DITF at Purbachal from 2019

The government has postponed its plan to hold the largest ever trade fair at the permanent trade playground of 20 acres in Dhaka’s Purbachal area from 2019. According to the commerce minister, the plan has been postponed as there is dispute over the land. “The land is currently under government’s acquisition but we need some time to make it ready for the fair,” Tofail added. He also said that the government aims to hold the fair at Purbachal from 2020, instead of 2019. The government announced the decision to relocate the fair venue from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to “Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre” in Purbachal in 2015. The project had a budget of Tk796 crore. Dhaka International Trade Fair was first organized at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on December 1, 1995.