Over 450 local, foreign cos confirm participation

CHATTOGRAM, Mar 03: The month-long 'Chattogram International Trade Fair (CITF) 2020' will kick off at the Railway Polo Ground in the port city tomorrow (Thursday).
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi will attend the inaugural ceremony of 28th edition of the event as the chief guest.
Deputy Minister for Education Barrister Muhibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, lawmaker M A Latif, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCCI) Sheikh Fazle Fahim and Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Mahbubur Rahman will attended the inaugural function as special guests.
The 28th CITF has been organised by the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). All preparations for successful staging of the month-long exposition have already been completed, the organisers said at a press conference at the CCCI hall on Tuesday morning.
CCCI President Mahbubul Alam addressed the press briefing. He said the business people of Chattogram as well as from all other parts of Bangladesh and foreign countries will participate in the exhibition.
The local traders will get a chance to showcase their products to the international business community at the CITF, he mentioned.
He said, in observance of birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a corner, named 'Bangabndhu Corner' dedicated to the Father of the Nation, will be set up at the 'CITF 2020'. The posters, photos, books and films will be exhibited at the corner regularly.
He said the organisers have been exercising maximum caution about setting up stalls and exhibiting products from Bangladesh and other countries because of outbreak and spread of novel coronavirus in the world.
Alertness is being followed in our every steps regarding holding of the month-long exposition, he stated.
"As the coronavirus is affecting the world, we are very alert over the situation. We have already sent letter to the Civil Surgeon of Chattogram to check the coronavirus for the foreigners who will participate in the CITF 2020 with their goods," he mentioned.
"We have started the CITF at the prot city's Outer Stadium 28 years ago. Now, the CITF has passed 28 years," he said. All necessary preparations have already been completed for successful staging of the 28th edition of the international exhibition," he further said.
About security, he said, apart from the security-providing companies, a large number of police force will be patrolling the fair premises. A temporary police camp has been set up there. The visitors will be examined with metal detectors at the entry points.
Mahbubul Alam also stressed the need for transit facilities for the neighbouring participating countries like India, Myanmar and China. He urged to the government to provide a permanent venue for holding CITF, the lone international trade fair arranged privately.
At the press briefing, Chairman of CITF 2020 organising committee Sayed Jamal Ahamed reteirated that the month-long fair will be held at the Railway Polo ground this year too.
Replying to a question, the CCCI leader said, a police camp will be in place and the visitors will be scanned by metal detectors. The ticket price has been fixed at Tk 15, he added.
Co-chairman of the committee A K M Akter Hossain, directors of CCCI Jahurul Alam, Anjan Shekhor Das and Abdul Manan Shohel were present at the press conference, among others.
CCCI sources said, Thailand is participating in the CITF as a partner country for the 18th time. One of the main features of this year's event will be Royal Thailand, they said. The air-conditioned Thailand pavilion will comprise 25 booths with 4500 cft area at the venue, they said.
A total of five foreign countries India, Thailand, China and Iran are taking part, they mentioned. Different foreign nationa and leading companies of those countries will also take part. Besides, the local leading companies will set up a total of 20 Premier pavilions. A total of 450 companies have confirmed participation at the fair.
Apart from that, female industrial zone, covered zone for Information Technology (IT), Children's world for kids entertainment will be there to make the fair colourful and attractive for both the visitors and the participants. The event will be opened from 10:00am to 10:00pm everyday.

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