BSS, Dhaka :
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is expecting to have a record spot orders from the country’s biggest trade show, surpassing last year’s as the customs officials have so far collected around Taka 40 lakh as VAT from the participants.
Despite widespread apprehension of slim turn out of visitors in the trade event, which began on January 11 at the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, due to the political situation, the turn out of visitors and interests of local and foreign participants are quite satisfactory.
Officials in the EPB, co-host of the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-14), said political unrest could not have negative impact on the trade event as the presence of visitors on daily basis is around one lakh outnumbering previous year’s presence.
“On daily basis, over one lakh visitors are visiting the DITF’14, which is more than the last year” Shubhashish Bose, Vice-Chairman of EPB, told BSS today.
Bose said visitors are showing increased interest in their most favoured trade event while the interest of both local and foreign participants is good although the event was deferred by 10 days for the first time on request of participants.
“We’re expecting that spot order will surpass previous year’s Taka 157 crore,” EPB VC said.
Local players are displaying new products, he said adding that performance of local electronic manufacturer Walton and some other handicraft and furniture companies are satisfactory.
The local players are now thinking of producing an array of foreign products as those displayed in the trade show, he said terming their tendency as good sign for Bangladesh economy.
Besides, he said, these local companies are also producing their export-oriented products to meet local demand after meeting export order.
According to customs officials, among the VAT payers, Walton gave around Taka 3.5 lakh as VAT, Fit Elegance Taka two lakh, Brac Enterprise Taka 97,000 and Sony Rangs Taka 90,000.
An array of local products of host Bangladesh especially electronics, traditional Jamdani products, jute and jute goods, leather and leather goods, export-oriented Readymade Garment (RMG) goods, furniture and handicrafts are being displayed in the show to woo foreign buyers.
Majority of the visitors were seen assembling at different stalls that are displaying home appliances, kitchenware and textiles or clothing items.
Akramuzzaman Opu, in-charge of Walton Pavilion, said at the beginning, the fair witnessed lower turn out of visitors but the numbers of visitors are on the gradual rise day after day.
“We are satisfied with the presence of visitors especially on holidays. We hope that we will be able to fulfill our sales’ target by end of the show,” said Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, Pavilion in-charge of Sony Rangs.
Ayubur Rahman, proprietor of Salma Jamdani Weaving Factory, a traditional Jamdani clothing manufacturer, who is displaying Tangail Tant and Jamdani sarees, said the main objective of his company’s participation is to know the customers’ choice and attitude.
A total of 47 foreign companies from 12 countries including India and Pakistan are participating in the show where varieties of local and international products are being displayed in a total of 471 stalls of the show.
Jointly organised by the EPB and Ministry of Commerce, the country’s flagship trade show has been taking place here since 1995.
