Bangladesh received export orders worth US$ 16 million in the 26th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) that concluded on Monday.
In addition, products worth around Tk 400 million were sold and value added tax (VAT) worth Tk 15 million was collected in the month-long fair.
The figures were disclosed at a ceremony on the concluding day of DITF held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Exhibition Center at Purbachal on the outskirts of the capital.
Speaking on the occasion, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said achieving the $51 billion export target during the current fiscal year could be possible.
"We have also set our export target at $80 billion in 2024," said Tipu Munshi, who attended the event as a special guest.
The minister, however, put emphasis on product diversification, continued flow of foreign direct investment and infrastructure development for achieving the target.
While speaking as the chief guest, Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi thanked Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for providing incentive packages that helped the countries' businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Md Jashim Uddin, who attended the event as another special guest, stressed the need for bigger collaboration between the public and private sectors for the benefits of the country's economy.
Vice-Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau AHM Ahsan delivered a welcome speech, while Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Tapan Kanti Gosh presided over the concluding ceremony.
There were 23 pavilions, 27 mini pavilions,162 stalls that sold different products, including homemade textiles, cosmetics, electrical and electronics, furniture, jute and leather goods, handicrafts, jewellery and household items.
Besides, there were also 15 food stalls.
Despite the ongoing Covid-19, a significant number of visitors thronged the fair venue on the last day.
It is to be mentioned that DITF was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid outbreak.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com