The 25th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2020 will begin today (Wednesday) at the ground on the west of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the month-long fair, jointly organized by the Commerce Ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
On the eve of the opening of international trade fair, the Commerce Ministry and EPB organised a press conference at the fair premises Tuesday afternoon. Commerce Minister, Tipu Munshi, Commerce Secretary, Dr Zafar Uddin, Vice Chairman of EPB, Fatima Yeasmin, EPB Director General, Avijit Chowdhury and other senior officials concerned from EPB and the Ministry of Commerce were present on the occasion.
While addressing, Commerce Minister said that they have set a target of reaching the mark of US$ 60 billion annual export which should not be hard, but value addition and ensuring qualitative standard of the exportable products a must to survive in the international market.
Replying to a question from media, the minister said that it will not be possible to organize international trade fair at the under-construction venue at Purbachal because of some reasons including communication problem. "We rather can organize sector wise fair of different types of products almost round the year at Purbachal", said the minister.
He mentioned that potential sectors like jute, light engineering are remaining at the top priority list of the government even Prime Minister is going to announce the year 2020 as the year of development and promotion for the light engineering sector. "Our ceramic industry is doing better, we faced setback in leather sector last year due to reasons like the entrepreneurs were not prepared as they had to shift from Dhaka to Savar Tannery Park, but in the coming year leather sector will also do much better. There are potentials of exporting Bangladeshi motorbike to the neighbouring countries while the demands in European markets of our bi-cycle has already gained much popularity," the minster added.
Commerce Secretary said that the fair will provide special focus on the ongoing development activities of the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He said, “This year the quality of public facilities at the DITF will be visible and raising the entrance fee by Tk 10 is reasonable as because the service quality and facilities for the visitors have been increased in all respect.” Mentioning that he himself (Secretary) would be present at the fair office at sher-e-bangla nagar every evening, the commerce secretary invited the newsmen to speak to him whenever it is necessary to draw his attention regarding any issue.
The fair is taking place on around 26 acres of land and it is expected to be peaceful throughout the month-long event. Adequate security measures have been taken by the police administration to ensure safety and security of the visitors, including foreign. Fatima Yeasmin, Vice Chairman of EPB said they have taken move to recast the pattern of organizing the DITF so that the real exporters get opportunity of placing stall in the fair, at the same time the foreign companies who work here may also have the opportunity of adequately exposing and demonstrating their products.
EPB Director General Avijit Chowdhury said preparations of opening the fair including construction of stalls, have already been completed, only some stalls are still under construction which is also expected to be completed within next 2 to 4 days. The entire fair venue will be under CC camera coverage to ensure safety and security of visitors.
A total of 483 stalls and pavilions, including premium pavilions, foreign pavilions and mini foreign pavilions, have been accommodated in the fair venue this year. Sources said traders from over 21 countries, including India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Japan, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong and Arab Emirates are participating in the fair.
A special pavilion has been constructed in the fair premises for presenting the life and works of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as part of celebration of birth centenary of the Bangabandhu which is scheduled to start from March 17 next to March 17, 2021.
The EPB Director General said local producers in the remote areas of rural Bangladesh who do not have financial strength to participate in the trade fairs abroad will have special opportunity to display their products to the foreign buyers at this fair.