A Correspondent :
The annual Chittagong International Trade Fair ( CITF) , which opened at the Railway Polo Ground on March 3, is yet to gather momentum. Till yesterday, many stalls were still under construction at the month-long event.
A visit to the fair yesterday revealed that 60 per cent stalls and pavilions were still incomplete, and workers were busy putting them up, four days into start of the fair. From the look of things, the stalls might take about a week more to be completed. Participants blamed blockades and shutdowns for the delay in preparations.
Being a weekend, attendance at the fair was thin. Most of the visitors were seen loitering near the furniture, crockery and textile stalls.
However, there were no takers. Some fair participants blamed lack of adequate publicity for the thin attendance.
Most stalls in the pavilions of Thailand, India, Iran and Pakistan were empty. Construction work continues at the Turkish pavilion. According to Maniruzzaman, an official of the Turkish pavilion, the decoration work would take a couple of days.
“It is known to all that the CITF really gets going from the second week. Besides, the present political turmoil is the main reason behind the delay, as we could not transport the materials needed, furniture and goods in time,” added Maniruzzaman.
SM Quddus, an official of the Dhaka-based Home Textile, said the response was good last year.
“We are observing a cold response from customers this year. People might feel discouraged to visit the fair due to the political unrest,” he added.
Mohammed Amin, a salesman of a stall at the Pakistan pavilion, was, however, optimistic that the scenario would change soon.
“I have come to the fair with my children and wife as today is a holiday. I visit the fair every year. But I feel a bit down observing the half-finished fair.
The fair committee should have ensured that the fair picked up from day one,” said Suman, a businessman of the city.
According to him, the incomplete stalls would have a negative impact on a visitor.
“This is the usual scene at the start of the fair every year. We hope all stalls and pavilions will be ready and the fair will begin in full swing within a few days,” said Syed Sagir Ahmed, co-chairman of the fair committee and also director of the CCCI.
According to him, the fair was yet to take off as most of the participants are from different parts of the country. More than 400 enterprises are participating in the fair this year.
The fair would remain open for visitors from 10 am to 10 pm. India, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran are participating, while Thailand is participating as the partner country for the 12th time. The entry fee to the fair is Tk. 10 for each person.
The annual Chittagong International Trade Fair ( CITF) , which opened at the Railway Polo Ground on March 3, is yet to gather momentum. Till yesterday, many stalls were still under construction at the month-long event.
A visit to the fair yesterday revealed that 60 per cent stalls and pavilions were still incomplete, and workers were busy putting them up, four days into start of the fair. From the look of things, the stalls might take about a week more to be completed. Participants blamed blockades and shutdowns for the delay in preparations.
Being a weekend, attendance at the fair was thin. Most of the visitors were seen loitering near the furniture, crockery and textile stalls.
However, there were no takers. Some fair participants blamed lack of adequate publicity for the thin attendance.
Most stalls in the pavilions of Thailand, India, Iran and Pakistan were empty. Construction work continues at the Turkish pavilion. According to Maniruzzaman, an official of the Turkish pavilion, the decoration work would take a couple of days.
“It is known to all that the CITF really gets going from the second week. Besides, the present political turmoil is the main reason behind the delay, as we could not transport the materials needed, furniture and goods in time,” added Maniruzzaman.
SM Quddus, an official of the Dhaka-based Home Textile, said the response was good last year.
“We are observing a cold response from customers this year. People might feel discouraged to visit the fair due to the political unrest,” he added.
Mohammed Amin, a salesman of a stall at the Pakistan pavilion, was, however, optimistic that the scenario would change soon.
“I have come to the fair with my children and wife as today is a holiday. I visit the fair every year. But I feel a bit down observing the half-finished fair.
The fair committee should have ensured that the fair picked up from day one,” said Suman, a businessman of the city.
According to him, the incomplete stalls would have a negative impact on a visitor.
“This is the usual scene at the start of the fair every year. We hope all stalls and pavilions will be ready and the fair will begin in full swing within a few days,” said Syed Sagir Ahmed, co-chairman of the fair committee and also director of the CCCI.
According to him, the fair was yet to take off as most of the participants are from different parts of the country. More than 400 enterprises are participating in the fair this year.
The fair would remain open for visitors from 10 am to 10 pm. India, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran are participating, while Thailand is participating as the partner country for the 12th time. The entry fee to the fair is Tk. 10 for each person.
