DITF visitors shop, find traders demanding extension
Staff Reporter :
Huge crowds flocked to the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) on Saturday, navigating through bustling aisles while merchants voiced their plea for an extension of the event, citing subdued sales at their stalls.
The lackluster turnout, traders argued, stemmed from concurrent events such as the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair in the capital and the recently concluded two-phase ijtema.
Nevertheless, as the 28th edition of the country’s largest trade fair at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre approaches its conclusion on February 20, momentum has surged despite a delayed commencement due to the 12th National Parliament election.
Attendees, accompanied by friends, family, and colleagues, seized the opportunity for eleventh-hour shopping. Exhibitors showcased a diverse array of local and foreign products, spanning electronics, household wares, apparel, jute and leather goods, furniture, plastics, handicrafts, and culinary delights.
With expectations of heightened foot traffic, traders advocated for a three-day extension of the Trade Fair, proposing dates from February 21st to 23rd. The fairground, adorned with 351 local and foreign stalls, pavilions, and mini pavilions, anticipates a surge in visitors.
Challenges encountered this year, traders noted, included the delayed inauguration on January 21st instead of the traditional January 1st start date.
Concurrent scheduling with the Amar Ekushey Book Fair diverted potential attendees, as did the overlapping phases of Bishwa Ijtema.
Pavilions offering substantial discounts proved particularly enticing, with some boasting “buy one, get ten free” promotions. Nonetheless, visitors expressed dismay at inflated prices and limited product diversity compared to their expectations.
The DITF featured a flat 10% discount on furniture from the country’s premier brands and discounts of up to 30% on electronic appliances, including televisions, refrigerators, and air conditioners.
Moreover, the fair showcased an exquisite selection of oriental rugs and carpets, ranging from elaborate Persian floral designs to geometric motifs crafted by skilled weavers from Turkey, alongside the luxurious silk rugs of Kashmir.
Md. Bahar, attending with his family from Badda, Dhaka, remarked on the fair’s tradition of providing household essentials. However, he lamented the slightly higher prices this year.
In addition to local enterprises, businesses from India, Pakistan, China, Turkey, and Iran presented a diverse array of merchandise, including carpets, jewelry, designer bed linens, footwear, and more.
Sales personnel reported significant weekend foot traffic, fostering optimism among merchants striving to meet their sales targets. Kausar Khan, a representative of a furniture company, attributed tepid attendance to the timing of the fair’s commencement, noting economic constraints and the end-of-month financial strain on consumers.
Despite these challenges, vendors remained hopeful for a surge in visitors on the final weekend, aiming to capitalize on the opportunity to boost sales before the fair’s conclusion.
“The economic situation of our country is not very good nowadays and people have less money in their hands. Moreover, starting time of the fair was not good as it was the end of the month, people usually don’t have much money at this time,” he said.
He said that they got the most visitors on the weekends and hoped that, as Saturday was the last weekend before the fair ended, they would see more visitors and be able to sell more.
