DITF witnesses low turnout of visitors

The countrywide blockade coupled with strikes hit hard the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2015 as the number of visitors declined sharply, putting the traders in dire straits, insiders said.

Most of the participants expressed their utter frustration on Friday as their sales and orders from consumers fell short of expectations, resulting in huge losses every day.

The participants said sales and orders had dropped by around 70 per cent this year comparing to that of last year for a low turnout of visitors.

 "Due to the nationwide blockade, the inflow of visitors into the fair came down to over 70 per cent this year," Mohammad Alamin, area manager of Smartex, a local readymade garment brand, told the FE.

He said: "Every year we take part in the DITF. This year our sales of products have dropped by more than 75 per cent comparing to previous years."

Due to a sharp fall in sales, he said, they were offering discounts on their products, but they were not seeing customers as per their expectations.

Abdul Khaleque, a salesman of new brand, said Friday was weekly holiday, but they saw a low turnout of visitors. Due to the blockade enforced by the BNP-led 20-party alliance since January 6, the people cannot visit the fair, he added.

He said the people from several districts used to come to the fair in previous years, but the people who live outside the capital could not visit the fair due to shortage of transports and fear of violence.

Arifur Rahman, sales representative of NAVANA Furniture, said due to low turnout of visitors, they were passing time in a holiday mood.

Their sales dropped by more than 75 per cent, he said, adding that on average their trade order was Tk 15 million in first 15 days every year, but it was less than Tk 0.10 million this year.

Nadia Aktar, a visitor, said she along with her son and daughter came to the fair amid security risk. "Every year I visit the fair several times, but this year I came here this time as the nationwide blockade is going on."

Another visitor Enamul Haque said his family lives in Khulna and wants to visit the fair, but they could not come due to shortage of transports. "Like my family, many of the visitors also cannot come to the fair," he claimed.

Local and international participants were displaying a wide range of products, including textiles and garments, leather & leather goods such as footwear, machinery equipment, pharmaceuticals, carpets, chemical & allied products, cosmetics & beauty aids, dairy products, electrical and electronic items, food stuff, gift & novelty items, handicrafts, household appliances, furniture, building materials, sports goods, sanitary ware, toys and stationery, watches and jewellery at the fair.

Some 14 countries, including India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Iran, Thailand, the USA, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, the UK, the UAE, South Korea and Germany are showcasing their products at the month long fair.

According to the EPB data, foreign buyers placed spot orders worth Tk 800 million in 2014, followed by Tk 1.57 billion in 2013, Tk 430 million in 2012, Tk 250 million in 2011 and Tk 220 million in 2010.

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