Our Correspondent
CHATTOGRAM, Mar 23: The month-long Chattogram International Trade Fair (CITF) 2019 has gained momentum as big crowds, including prospective buyers, are visiting the exposition everyday particularly on weekly holidays.
Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has organised the 27th edition of the fair as they did in the last 26 years.
Organisers said visitors, including male and female of different ages and strata have been thronging Polo Ground, the venue of the fair, in hundreds every day, especially on Fridays and Saturdays. The numbers of visitors are increasing day by day.
He said: "Members of parliament (MP) and other VIPs, elites, including journalists and teachers have visited the CITF in the current year. They are satisfied over the arrangement of CITF in the port city."
"The authority of CITF particularly the CITF committee took special measures regarding the law and order and discipline at the Polo Ground and adjoining areas from very beginning of the trade fair," he mentioned.
"As a result, people can come to visit the trade fair very soundly. Besides, the arrangement for female and children are better in the current year than previous years. So, interest has been grown among (ordinary) people and businessmen to join the trade fair in the current year," he observed.
He noted that investors and participants from the partner countries, including Thailand, India and China, are very happy to see the eagerness of people to jin the fair. "So, I hope that we will be successful for creating interest to the foreign investors for investing here," he said.
He added that the businessmen from Chattogram as well as other parts of the country are getting a chance to showcase their products for the international business community.
CCCI Senior Vice President and Chairman of the CITF 2019 organising committee Alhaj Nurun Newaj Selim said a temporary police camp has been set up there. The visitors are being examined with metal detectors at the entry points. The ticket prices have been fixed at Tk 12.
Shantunu Das, a trader from Noakhali who came here to sell his handicraft, said they are selling the handicraft to the visitors at a kiosk set up outside of the fair. "I am satisfied over the sale in the current year," he said.
Shanta Chakma, who came from Rangamati with some handicraft made by tribal people, sold the commodities to the foreigners who showed keen interest in buying the handicraft.
If some of the visiting foreigners invest in producing the handicraft that will encourage the people of the CHT to produce the item more and the economic condition of the tribal people will be changed, they opined.
Abul Kalam, a school teacher said that he had come to the CITF for passing his evening and enjoy some gatherings.
Shaheda Begum, a housewife said: "In every year, the duration of CITF was extended. But, in the current year, the CCCI is yet to extend it. We call upon the leaders of CCCI to extend it."
The CCCI sources said, a total of five foreign countries including India, Thailand, China and Iran are taking part in the fair. Thailand is participating in as a partner country for the 27th time. The air-conditioned Thai pavilion comprises 25 booths.
As many as 450 companies from home and abroad are participating in this year's fair. A total of 37 pavilions have been set up. Of those 22 are Premier Gold and two Premier pavilions. A total of 450 companies are participating at the CITF 2019.
Besides, female industrial zone, covered zone for information technology (IT), children world's for entertainment of the kids in the premises of the fair have been set up.
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