Dhaka trade fair gathered momentum on Friday, the second weekly holiday since the fair began, with increased buy and sell of products.
According to the exhibitors, like every year, home appliances, processed food, crockery, electronic devices, furniture-both plastic and wooden, carpet and clothing are on top of the selling list in the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair-2018 in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
During a visit to the fair, this correspondent found that thousands of people were entering the fair venue maintaining long queues while the crowd comprises people of all ages.
Expressing satisfaction over increased trading, exhibitors said despite shivering cold, a large number of people have been visiting the fair, which makes them hopeful about good business.
Usually, the visitors throng the fair from afternoon in weekdays, but the ground became jam-packed before noon Friday.
Kazi Farms Ltd, a local food processing company, is displaying its diverse frozen food items at the premium mini pavilion-18.
The poultry giant offers discount on a range of new products to the customers, said the pavilion's in-charge Md Ripon.
He said that customers are mostly buying shrimp spring roll, spicy chicken meatballs, vegetable singara and samusa, chicken sausage etc, which are within the price range of Tk 70 to Tk 800.
Local electronics maker Walton has set up a three-storey premium pavilion (23) at the trade fair and has been displaying over 500 models of electronic devices including different types refrigerators, air conditioners, smart LED TVs and cellphones.
The company has offered 8.0 per cent discount on the purchase of any products at the trade fair.
But not all are lucky.
Sharjeel Fashion that sells home textiles is one.
Alauddin, a staff member of the textiles producer, told the FE that their business this year isn't going well due to the placement of the stall in the corner.
"People can barely see our stall due the placement and big pavilions in front of the ally," he added.
Ferdousy Ara, a customer who was carrying multiple shopping bags in her two hands, said, "I am a banker and I have no time to come here except weekends, so I am buying as much as I can using this one day."
Talking about prices of products, Milon Bishwas, who came to the DITF with wife, said prices don't seem to be cheaper than usual market rate, but he was happy with local electronic brands as they are offering different discount packages.
Apart from local companies, a total of 17 foreign countries are participating in the fair.
A total of 43 countries including India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Japan, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates are participating in this year's fair.
There are a total of 589 stalls and pavilions including 64 premium pavilions, 27 foreign pavilions and eight mini foreign pavilions and also 24 food stalls at the fair venue.
The fair will remain open for visitors from 10am to 10 pm until January 31 and the entry fee for an adult is Taka 30 and for children Taka 20.
