Development fair of PKSF kicks off in Dhaka today

A six-day “Development Fair 2017” begins in Dhaka today to help expand the market of products made by marginal people with a view to pulling them out of poverty.

The Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), a state-run development agency, is organising the fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Some 90 organisations will set up 133 stalls at the fair, which will remain open to visitors from 10am to 8pm every day.

Five seminars will also be held on poverty eradication, human dignity and development, said Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of the PKSF, while announcing the fair at a media briefing at the National Press Club yesterday.

The economist said the PKSF has diversified its activities beyond providing microcredit to eradicate poverty. “From this perspective, the fair is being arranged to exhibit the products of the poor people so they get market access.”

Set up in 1990, the PKSF disburses funds to microfinance institutions (MFIs) to implement development programmes designed for the poor of Bangladesh.

At present, the PKSF has 276 MFIs, also known as partner organisations, for providing financial services to 1.27 crore borrowers across the country.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith is scheduled to open the fair, while Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury will also be present.