The 26th edition of Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is likely to begin on March 17 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) in Purbachal on the outskirts of capital.
The month-long annual fair had been held on the month of January beside the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Agargaon in the capital since 1995 by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the commerce ministry, reports UNB.
The trade fair was pushed off to March from January due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Md Iftikher Ahmed Chowdhury, secretary of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), said the 26th DITF is likely to be kicked off on March 17 to coincide with the birthday of Bangladesh's Founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
"All construction works of BCFEC have been completed. Now just a formal ceremony will be held to hand over it," he said.
“The fair will be month long as usual but the date is yet to be confirmed. Our Prime Minister will fix the exact date soon. Then we will announce tender and send letters to embassies of different countries,” he added.
Iftikher Ahmed said around 300 local and international stalls can be set up in the 26-acre venue in Purbachal. “No mask, No entry system will be implemented in the fair for health safety due to COVID-19. Most stalls will be installed in two hall rooms but some stalls can be set up in open field too,” he also said.
The secretary added they will try to maintain international standard at DITF Purbachal venue to attract more foreign businesses and customers.
“The previous editions of DITF could not be arranged maintaining international standard at Agargaon of the capital. So the government decided to arrange it at its permanent venue to maintain international standard,” he also added.
Iftikher Ahmed also said the number of visitors may be lower than other years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Besides, the permanent venue is located outside of the capital.
According to the EPB, there were 483 stalls of different organisations from 21 countries including Bangladesh in the 25th edition. Around Tk 200 crores in export orders were received by Bangladeshi firms at the country's biggest trade show in the 25th edition.
The foreign companies were from India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, the Maldives, Mauritius, Russia, Iran, and Swaziland.
