Despite slow progress in the construction of Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal, the government has moved to build another multipurpose trade exhibition centre in the city, officials said.
According to a proposal made by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), a small or medium-sized centre is likely to be set up in the city to arrange different types of trade fairs all the year round, they added.
The EPB has sent the proposal to the Ministry of Commerce (MoC), seeking its approval. The ministry is now scrutinising the proposal, said a high official who is dealing with the issue. The proposed centre will meet the demand for interim time if built finally. The authority will need one or two acres of land to set up the small/medium-sized trade exhibition centre. The EPB will finance the proposed project.
When contacted, EPB vice chairman Bijoy Bhattacharjee said, "The country badly needs a small/medium-sized exhibition centre. But we have not got necessary land yet (for building a small/medium-sized centre)."
"The EPB is a national agency to promote the country's export sector. It is not a profit-making entity. Entrepreneurs would benefit if we can build a small/medium sized trade exhibition centre where 100-150 exhibitors can display their products," he added.
"We have sought two/three acres of land from public works department and unused land in Kurmitola airport which is located at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar and Tejgaon respectively," an official of EPB told the FE.
It will be possible to establish an eye-catching multipurpose trade centre if the government allocates required land in the city.
Export trade is involved with the manufacturing industry. The export volume will increase in geometrical progression if the proposed economic zones start operation fully across the country, according to the EPB letter.
Producers of global capital machinery are organising trade fairs in the country to display their products considering a large market here and they are looking for more suitable places to showcase their products. So, the government should take necessary steps to build a small/medium-sized trade exhibition centre in the capital city Dhaka.
