The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) draws large crowds and does roaring trade on Friday, the last day of the trade show, at Purbachal. — FE Photo Curtain came down on the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) on Friday, pulling in large crowds and roaring trade.
People from different walks of life started gathering at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal.
The Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau jointly organised the annual trade show.
At the closing ceremony of the show, a total of 51 stalls and pavilions were awarded as best participants in various categories.
Attending as the chief guest at the event, commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin urged traders for diversifying products, minimising production costs and enhancing their capacity.
"If we can't create competitiveness through the participation of the private sector and reduce production costs, there would be many challenges with the country's LDC graduation," he said.
"The unemployment rate in the country will also increase."
The interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, has been working to create an enabling environment to facilitate investment in the country as desired by people, according to Mr Bashir.
About a limited number of foreign participants in the trade fair this year, he said it was not easy for a foreign company to participate in a month-long fair.
They regularly participate in exhibitions that usually last for five to six days, he says, adding: "Still, we want to increase global connectivity in international trade fairs."
Underscoring the need for enhancing Bangladesh's competitiveness, the adviser said a 'national single window' has already been launched to provide 18 services through one channel.
Acting commerce secretary Md Abdur Rahim Khan chaired the event.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) administrator Md Hafizur Rahman and EPB vice-chairman Anwar Hossain were also present.
A total of 343 domestic and foreign entities participated in the fair. Some 11 organisations from seven countries, including India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, took part.
On the last day of the fair, some stalls were offering discounts at different rates on different products, which drew an increased number of customers.
Though sales increased at the end of the fair, traders said they were yet to make enough profit.
However, the authorities denied their demand for extension of the fair schedule by several days.
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