Ruhul Amin, Rupganj (Narayanganj)

The 29th Dhaka International Trade Fair is starting today (January 1) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal.

The fair will be inaugurated at 10 am in Purbachal by the Chief Advisor to the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

This information was given at a press conference organized at the fair premises on the occasion of the trade fair. Present at the press conference were Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Selim Uddin, Vice Chairman of the Ministry of Commerce Anwar Hossain, Additional Secretary (Export) Abdur Rahim Khan and many others.

It is learned that after the fall of the Awami League government, when the law and order situation in the country deteriorated, some doubts arose about organizing the fair. However, this year too, the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) are jointly organizing this fair. This year's fair is being organized against the backdrop of July and August.

Meanwhile, it was informed at the press conference that for the first time in this year's trade fair, stall/pavilion space for various categories has been allocated online. E-ticketing has been arranged for the first time in the fair. In addition, for the convenience of buyers and visitors to the fair, along with the dedicated bus service of BRTC, Uber service is being added at a special discount.

In addition, July Square and 36 Square have been created at the fair to honor the sacrifices of students and the public in the student movement against discrimination. Along with this, a Youth Pavilion has been created to motivate the country's young people in export trade.

Initiatives have been taken this year to organize seminars based on promising sectors/products at the fair. There will be a separate sourcing corner, electronics and furniture zone for the convenience of foreign entrepreneurs/organizations. A technology corner and a seating corner for senior citizens have been created for the convenience of age-based visitors. A children's park will also be available at the fair for the children's pure entertainment.

The press conference was also informed that the trade fair is going to be held for the fourth time at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center in Purbachal. According to the layout plan of the fair, 361 pavilions/stalls/restaurants of different categories have been allocated in 100% transparency in favor of domestic manufacturing-exporting organizations, general business organizations and foreign organizations.

Domestic textiles, machineries, carpets, cosmetics and beauty aids, electrical and electronics, furniture, jute and jute products, home furnishings, leather/artificial leather and leather products including shoes, sports goods, sanitaryware, toys, stationery, crockery, plastic, melamine polymer, herbal, toiletries, imitation jewelry, processed food, fast food, handicraft products, home decor, etc. will be displayed and sold at the fair.

A total of 11 companies from 07 countries, excluding Bangladesh, are participating in this year's fair. The participating countries are India, Pakistan, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

The exhibition center has a July square on the southeast side, a cultural center, a technology corner, a recreation corner on the southwest side, a children's park on the northeast (6 acres) side of the center, and a thirty-four square and prayer room on the northwest side.

To ensure the overall security of the fair and the safety of visitors, a sufficient number of police, armed police battalion, RAB, intelligence agencies and other law enforcement agencies will be deployed in the fair premises. There will also be regular patrol teams outside the premises. Considering security priorities, the necessary number of CCTVs have been installed at various important places of the fair premises, entry gates, parking areas and all related areas.

The issue of cleanliness has been considered with greater importance in this year's fair. In addition to a sufficient number of separate toilets for men and women in the exhibition hall, an adequate number of toilets have been arranged outside the exhibition hall.

To control the quality of food products at the fair, a team formed by the executive magistrate and members of the law enforcement agencies will operate an anti-adulteration mobile court every day during the fair.

Doctors and patient care attendants will be present round the clock to provide free first aid and medical advice to visitors arriving at the fair.

The fair will have adequate car parking facilities. In addition to the adjacent two-story car parking building with parking facilities for more than 500 cars, parking has been arranged on 6 acres of land outside the exhibition hall.

A control room has been set up at the fair to monitor the overall activities and an information center to provide all kinds of information to visitors.

There will be an adequate number of bank booths at the fair for banking services. There will be a mother and child center at the fair for mothers and children. Comfortable and elegant chairs/benches, sitting corners for senior citizens, etc. have been arranged for visitors to rest.

As before, the fair will run from 10 am to 9 pm throughout the month and until 10 pm on weekends.