Dhaka Trade Fair sees huge crowd on holiday

Business Report :

The 30th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) drew a huge crowd in Purbachal on Friday with the growing number of visitors alongside huge buying and selling of commodities.
As the last phase of DITF-2026 is going on, shoppers and visitors from all walks of life from the capital and its surrounding areas poured into the fair in droves from the morning. By the afternoon, the grounds were packed.
Everyone seemed to be returning home with something after taking advantage of the attractive offers on several products, especially household goods, food, electronics, and crockery.
The flagship trade show of the country is being held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) in Purbachal since 2021, instead of the city’s Agargaon.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) under the Ministry of Commerce has oganised the event aiming to promote local products and services to global buyers making the fair a massive matchmaking platform.
The month- long fair was traditionally scheduled to start on January 01 but was rescheduled to third of the month following the death of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin inaugurated the Fair at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal on January 03.
A total of 324 stalls and pavilions set up at the fair this year. With the participation of 11 foreign stalls and pavilions, the event will be recognized as an international trade fair.
Many families expressed their excitement about the diverse range of products and international presence at the fair.
“It’s like a one-stop destination for shopping and entertainment,” said Taslima Akter, a visitor who came with her family from Tongi under Gazipur district.
Md Bahar came with his family members at the fair from Badda, Dhaka. He said that the family was enjoying the visit at the fair.
‘We visit the fair every year and buy many things needed at the home. But this year, we are thinking not to buy anything as prices of the products here seem to be a bit costlier,’ he said.
Along with local businesses, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Turkish and Iranian businesses displayed carpets, jewellery, hand- and machine-made designer bed-sheets, carpets, footwear and other items.

Special zones for electronics and furniture have been arranged for foreign entrepreneurs and companies.
Reserved stalls have been allocated for women, persons with disabilities, cottage, handloom, textile and handicraft entrepreneurs.
To encourage youth power and innovative initiatives, various seminars and cultural programs will be held throughout the month.
Products to be displayed at the fair include local textiles, machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty aids, electrical and electronics goods, furniture, jute and jute products, household items, leather, artificial leather and footwear, sports goods, sanitaryware, toys, stationery, crockery, plastic and melamine polymer products, herbal and toiletries, imitation jewelry, processed food, fast food, handicrafts, home décor, and more.
Seating corners have been set up for senior citizens, while two children’s parks will be available for children’s entertainment. An open cultural center will also be part of the fair.
To ensure smooth transportation for visitors, more than 200 dedicated BRTC shuttle buses will operate daily from Kuril Bishwaroad, Farmgate (Khejur Bagan/Khamarbari), Narayanganj, and Narsingdi starting from 8:00 am. The last shuttle bus from the fairground will depart at 11:00 pm.
The fixed fares are: Tk 70 from Farmgate (Khejur Bagan/Khamarbari) to the fairground, Tk 40 from Kuril Bishwaroad, Tk 120 from Chashara, Tk 130 from Muktarpur, Tk 100 from Narsingdi, and Tk 100 from the fairground to Signboard (per person).
The fair have ample car parking facilities, including a two-storey car parking building accommodating more than 500 vehicles, additional parking on six acres of land outside the exhibition hall, and three large parking areas including the RAJUK cattle market field.
A temporary secretariat has been set up to monitor overall activities, along with an information center to provide all necessary information to visitors.