DITF begins on Jan 1 in city Spot orders worth Tk 300m expected

Shah Alam Nur The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is expected to receive spot orders worth Tk 300 million in the upcoming 17th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2012, officials said. EPB officials said they have already completed its preparation for holding the country's largest trade fair, which is scheduled to begin from January 1 to showcase different types of attractive products from both home and abroad. "We're expecting spot orders worth at least Tk 300 million this time," EPB vice-chairman Shubhashish Bose told the FE Sunday. Last year, DITF fetched spot orders worth Tk 250 million and pulled in 5.0 million visitors. The EPB senior official said the fair would help foreign investors and buyers create new business opportunities in Bangladesh and also establish direct and fruitful business contacts with their Bangladeshi counterparts. A wide range of products including textile and garments, leather and leather goods, machinery, equipment, pharmaceuticals, carpets, chemical and allied products, cosmetics and beauty aids, dairy products, electrical and electronic items, foodstuff, gift and novelty items, handicrafts, household appliances, furniture, building materials, sports goods, sanitary ware, toys and stationery and watches, clocks and jewellery will be displayed at the fair. The DITF will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and EPB and allocation of 531 stalls and pavilions for the DITF-2012 have already been done among the participants, Bose said. A total of 13 foreign countries-- Pakistan, India, China, Iran, South Korea, Thailand, the USA, Turkey, Singapore, Japan, KSA, Malaysia, and UAE are expected to take part in the fair, another EPB official said. He said members of the law enforcement agencies will keep their close watch on troublemakers through 50 close circuit cameras (CCTVs), which have already been installed at various strategic points, to avoid any unwanted incidents. As part of the tight security measures, the posted law enforces will search every visitor by arch way and metal detectors during their entrance. A huge contingent of law enforcers from different law enforcement agencies including RAB, police, Ansar Battalion and members from intelligence agencies will be deployed to ensure smooth law and order at the venue. The officials said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the fair in the city's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.