"Anondomela", an online marketplace initiated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for small and medium enterprises, has organised the largest online fair for Eid during the Covid-19 pandemic, UNDP Dhaka office announced on Saturday.
Anondomela (or the fair of joy) has partnered with Joyeeta Foundation to hold the fair with an array of clothing, jewellery, home decor, food items and other knick-knacks from women-led small and medium enterprises.
A UNDP news release said Anondomela Facebook page (facebook.com/anondomelashop) would remain active for the fair between April 24 and May 6, from 8am to 8pm.
Anondomela was launched by the UNDP in April 2020 as an online marketplace for SMEs that were struggling to make sales amid the pandemic.
"Our initiative aims to ease the pressure that the Covid-19 crisis has put on these very small and largely informal entrepreneurs, at a time when most feel naturally inclined to demonstrate more social solidarity and care during the holy month," said Sudipto Mukerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh.
A long-running initiative of the government's Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Joyeeta Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs and artisans by creating a secure channel for them to showcase and sell their products.
"During this ongoing crisis, when our entrepreneurs are struggling to survive, we are glad to be organising this online fair that will give them an opportunity to sell their products to a large audience," Joyeeta Foundation's Managing Director Afroza Khan said adding, “This online fair is part of our continuous efforts to come to people's aid in their time of need.”
The online fair will have five 30-minute slots that will be divided among entrepreneurs, according to the release. The entrepreneurs can post details about their products and directly connect with buyers. They can also promote their businesses through this opportunity.
Interested SMEs have been asked to join Anondomela as a seller to participate in the fair. Their products can be delivered seamlessly through 'ekshop' delivery, said the release.
