The government is mulling to arrange the 26th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Purbachal New Town in Narayanganj, a neighborhood in the capital’s northeast part, with a delayed date due to the coronavirus crisis.
Unlike every year, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the month-long event on the Pahela Baishakh, the first day of Bengali calendar year that falls on April 14, instead of January 1.
Sources at the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) said the fair is delayed as the pandemic slowed the economy since last March 25 due to lockdown.
At the inaugural function of the 25th Trade Fair, the PM announced that the 2021 Trade Fair will be held at Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BCFEC) in Purbachal.
Preparation is underway in line with the PM’s announce to organize the next trade fair amidst the coronavirus crisis with the authorities concerned being instructed to hand over the fair establishments by October.
It, however, is a bit slow due to change in the venue, EBP officials said.
Another wave of coronavirus may hit the country in the coming winter, officials said said adding that, the EPB’s Board of Directors decided to postpone the 26th Dhaka International Trade Fair considering all aspects.
However, construction of BCFECis underway at Purbachal New Town at Narayanganj’s Rupganj upazila, to be completed next December.
Nearly, 98 percent of construction work of the permanent trade fair center has been completed, EPB officials said.
According to the EPB, the 35-acre facilities will have modern car parking, conference room, meeting room, press center, reception room, trade information center and dormitory.
In addition, to ensure the security of the exhibition center, round-the-clock CCTV, its own electricity substation with modern system, service room, internal road, culvert and boundary wall are being constructed.
A five-star hotel will be built at a cost of about Tk 600 crore with government funds and a modern convention center will also be construed.
Although 6 acres of land was found, Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) has not been able to expand the land due to various complications including lawsuits.
Asked on land complexities, EPB Director General Mahbubur Rahman said talks have been held with the RAJUK.
All complications will be resolved, he added.