Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2017 will kick off on Sunday (January 01) with at least 20 countries taking part in the annual event.
A total of 22 countries participated in DITF 2016.
After visiting the fair venue on Thursday, the FE correspondent found that different organisations or companies were putting the final touches to their respective stalls and pavilions.
Most of the stalls and pavilions have already completed their decoration works.
However, an official of a renowned local company told the FE that they would be able to complete all decoration works by Saturday. Meanwhile, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the organiser of the event, has also completed all preparations for making successful the month-long trade fair, officials said.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the trade fair at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
There will be 568 stalls and pavilions at the upcoming fair.
"We have taken all preparations to make DITF 2017 successful," vice-chairman of EPB Mafruha Sultana told the FE.
Asked whether the number of participating countries dropped this year on security grounds she said, "We don't see any security reason. The countries which would not participate in the fair might have their own reasons, but not on security grounds."
Security has improved a lot in the country, she added.
She said the EPB authorities are expecting a high turnout of the visitors in the upcoming fair compared to the previous year considering the stable political situation in the country.
Bangladesh will get more export orders this year for a stable political environment, according to the ministry of commerce (MoC).
The fair received orders worth Tk 850 million in 2015 and Tk 800 million in 2014.
The EPB expects that on an average, 0.1 million people will visit the DITF 2017 every day.
The fair will remain open from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm every day.
Entry fee was fixed at Tk 30 for adults and Tk 20 for children during DITF 2016.
And there is a little possibility of raising entry fee for the upcoming fair (DITF 2017), an official of EPB told the FE.
Various items like machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty products, electronics, jute items, leather and sports goods, sanitary products, toys, ceramics, fabrics, processed food, furniture and handicrafts will be among the products to be showcased at the fair.
DITF, which is being organised at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar for over two decades, will be shifted permanently to Purbachal area in 2018, according to the MoC.
Meanwhile, the government has taken extra measures, including setting up of a number of closed-circuit cameras in and around the fair venue to ensure security of the visitors, according to the ministry of home affairs.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
End/ Talha
