DITF sees rush of visitors despite blockade

FE Report
The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) drew a large number of visitors on Friday after experiencing poor turnout in the last few days because of the BNP-led 20-party's nationwide indefinite blockade.
Taking the advantage of a relax-mannered blockade in the capital, the visitors came to enjoy the weekly holiday in DITF and traders were also expecting good transaction. "We've got poor response so far during the blockade from January 6. It created obstacle to product transportation. We've earned only around Tk 3,000 per day during the first three days, which is very unfortunate. Usually we sell products worth Tk 100,000 to 150,000 per day at DITF," said Md Mirajul Islam, a representative of Bulbul Textile Industries Ltd.
"This time we are observing that the customers are in visiting mood, and not in buying mood. However, we are expecting good business on Friday, as we are getting rush of visitors," he also said earlier on the day.
"We've paid Tk 230,000 for the stall in the fair, but we are not able to do business here for different problems, rather than the Fridays."
The visitors are still feeling unsafe to come to the fair during blockade, he added.
Arif, a foreign participant who came from Kashmir, India, told the FE that the DITF management should be better and more organized.
"We are selling our products in a dirty place. As a result, different items, like shawl, scurf, gown and kurta etc, are getting damaged."
"This is the first time we've come here and paid Tk 400,000 for the stall and Tk 350,000 as customs duty. But we are not getting adequate support from the organizers. We participated in different fairs in Europe and Middle-East, but management was quite good in those fairs."
 "We're selling products ranging from Tk 700 to Tk 20,000 each. In the first day of the blockade we've earned Tk 4,000 only, as customers are unwilling to come to the fair," he concluded.
Shanok Barua, a salesman of Delhi Aluminum, said usually the visitors rushed to their stall to buy aluminum and stainless steel-made products.
"But the blockade is hampering our business, and we are looking forward to make some profit in the coming days."  
The participants alleged that they are facing problems to get power and water supply in the fair. They claimed that they are facing power cut in morning and water supply disruption in washrooms in morning and evening everyday.   
Different companies from home and abroad are displaying their products at DITF. Their product range includes machinery, carpets, clothes, jewelry, cosmetics, toys, foods, electronics, jute products, leather goods, sports items, and sanitary etc.
A total of 97 pavilions, 58 mini pavilions, 351 stalls and 10 restaurants have been set up on the fair premises. Some 48 stalls have been allocated to foreign companies, and the rest to local companies. There are nine stalls, set up by women entrepreneurs.
Some 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Iran, Thailand, US, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, UK, UAE, South Korea and Germany, are participating in the fair.
The fair is open to visitors from 9am to 10pm everyday. The entry fee for each adult is Tk 30 and for minor Tk 20. The fair will continue till January 31.
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