UNB, Dhaka :
The foreign participants of the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-2015), the country’s largest and most vibrant showcasing event, experienced a ‘very dull’ business due to the ongoing political instability compelling them to rethink about their future plan.
This correspondent talked to a number of foreign participants at the fair venue who shared their experiences with grave frustrations though some of the local participants were upbeat about their business.
“To me, it’s totally frustrating… I’ve got very poor feedback so far from the fair,” Akbar Javan, a participant from Iran, told UNB.
Javan said, he had also come to Bangladesh last year to explore business opportunities and found positive signals to be here. “So, I participated in the fair for the first time, but hartal and blockade have apparently ruined my business here. Even life isn’t safe outside the fair venue. I see busses being burnt,” he said.
Responding to a question, Javan of the Iranian Pavilion said he may not come next year unless political situation improves.
Pakistani participant Rahim Baksh, representing Kashmir Handicrafts Company, also came up with similar sentiment and said they
are upset over the poor respond from the visitors. “You see, I left my stall, and is chatting with my friends here as there’s no customer,” said frustrated Rahim.
Asked whether the extension of the fair time will help them get business, he said it will not help them that much. “A five-day extension would be fair enough, but customers know about the extension and are waiting for last-minute deals.”
Responding to another question, the Pakistani participant said their per day sales volume is only Tk 10,000 to 20,000. “Customers bargain to get a product of Tk 3000 at Tk 500 on Tk 1000.”
The foreign participants of the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-2015), the country’s largest and most vibrant showcasing event, experienced a ‘very dull’ business due to the ongoing political instability compelling them to rethink about their future plan.
This correspondent talked to a number of foreign participants at the fair venue who shared their experiences with grave frustrations though some of the local participants were upbeat about their business.
“To me, it’s totally frustrating… I’ve got very poor feedback so far from the fair,” Akbar Javan, a participant from Iran, told UNB.
Javan said, he had also come to Bangladesh last year to explore business opportunities and found positive signals to be here. “So, I participated in the fair for the first time, but hartal and blockade have apparently ruined my business here. Even life isn’t safe outside the fair venue. I see busses being burnt,” he said.
Responding to a question, Javan of the Iranian Pavilion said he may not come next year unless political situation improves.
Pakistani participant Rahim Baksh, representing Kashmir Handicrafts Company, also came up with similar sentiment and said they
are upset over the poor respond from the visitors. “You see, I left my stall, and is chatting with my friends here as there’s no customer,” said frustrated Rahim.
Asked whether the extension of the fair time will help them get business, he said it will not help them that much. “A five-day extension would be fair enough, but customers know about the extension and are waiting for last-minute deals.”
Responding to another question, the Pakistani participant said their per day sales volume is only Tk 10,000 to 20,000. “Customers bargain to get a product of Tk 3000 at Tk 500 on Tk 1000.”
