The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) begins today for showcasing Bangladeshi products to the visitors amid hopes for increased export orders.
DITF for the first time introduced an online shopping option for busy city-dwellers.
The export orders may rise about 5 percent to Tk 45 crore this year, compared to the previous year, organisers said.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the commerce ministry are jointly organising the mega event that will continue through to January 31 at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the fair at 11am.
A total of 506 stalls have been set up at the fair that stepped into the 18th year. Thirty-one organisations from 12 countries are participating in the fair along with Bangladeshi organisations.
EPB has taken an initiative to facilitate online shopping of all the products to be showcased at DITF.
“We have developed an e-commerce site — ditfeshop.com — the first of its kind at the fair to sell all the products to be displayed at DITF,” Shubhashish Bose, vice chairman of EPB, told reporters at the fair venue.
Customers from home and abroad can also buy products online through debit or credit cards, bank drafts and mobile payment service.
Speaking as the chief guest, Commerce Minister GM Quader said the government decided to construct a permanent venue at Purbachal for DITF.
A Chinese delegation will soon visit Bangladesh to carry a feasibility study for the purpose, he said.
Export orders at the 17th DITF grew 72 percent to Tk 43.18 crore from the previous year, according to the organisers.
Among the major products, machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty products, electrical and electronics, jute goods, leather goods, sports goods, sanitary products, toys, ceramics, fabrics, cables, processed foods, furniture and handicrafts will be showcased on the 12.5 lakh square feet venue.
-With The Daily Star input
