Dhaka trade fair brings cheer to exhibitors
Exhibitors at this year's Dhaka International Trade Fair are having a very good time as visitors are thronging the exposition every day in large numbers thanks to the political calm.
“We have reached our targets. We hope we will do better in the remaining days,” said Hashem Ali, customer care manager at Delhi Aluminium, which sells pots and pans and is one of the crowd-pullers at the country's largest trade fair.
Companies, brands and traders from 21 countries, including the UK, Singapore, the US, India, Pakistan, the UAE, Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, Australia, South Korea, Turkey, Iran and China are participating in the fair, jointly organised by the Export Promotion Bureau and the commerce ministry.
And for the first time in the event's 21-year history, companies from Morocco, Bhutan, Japan, Ghana, Nepal, Hong Kong and Mauritius are taking part in the show.
More than 550 stalls and pavilions have been set up at the fair venue at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Typically, sales executives pass a busy time right from 10am, when the fair opens for visitors, and as the day wears on their activities get more hectic until the shutter is down at 10pm.
Through the fair, leading companies consolidate their market position as well as expand business by introducing new products and services.
Popular clothing brand EASY is taking part in the fair for the first time. Its General Manager Amjad Chowdhury said the company is happy with the response it has received so far.
The promotion of the brand, which has only 19 stores spread across major cities, was the goal behind their participation.
“We don't have outlets at district level. So, the fair has allowed us to reach out to visitors who come from different parts of the country,” he said, adding that the company would try to set up a large stall next year.
EASY has set a modest daily sales target of Tk 20,000 but it is doing better.
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd is also taking part in the fair for the first time.
It is displaying solar power bank and solar LED TV.
The company is using the fair to receive feedback from visitors about some of the solar appliances it plans to introduce in the coming months.
Its future products include solar fan, desk lamp, backpack, cooker, e-bike and refrigerators.
Legacy Furniture has launched a number of new products in the category of bed room sets, sofas and TV cabinet, said Sadiqul Islam, the company's sales and marketing manager.
Rangs Electronics has launched Sony Android televisions and new models of fridges and washing machines, said Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, the company's national sales manager.
The fair also offers opportunities to local entrepreneurs to showcase their products.
Joyeeta Foundation, an initiative of the women and children affairs ministry, has set up a large pavilion where 40 grassroots women entrepreneurs are selling different products including garments and food items.
“Through Joyeeta, rural women entrepreneurs are being able to sell their products directly and get higher prices,” said Farzana Arfin, an executive director of a non-governmental organisation.
Exhibitors said political stability was the key behind the high turnout of visitors.
“Last year, the fair was extended by 10 days. Still, we could not log enough sales. But this year we have got a good response,” said an executive of a shoe company.
Some companies and brands are offering discounts and gifts. RFL's Duranta bicycle is selling at a 10 percent discounted price with free home delivery.
HI-Tech Furniture is offering 15 percent discount and Nadia Furniture 25 percent.
EASY is offering up to 40 percent discounts and Texmart up to 70 percent.
As in the past, the fair has created part-time job opportunities for hundreds of youths and students.
Haque, one of the oldest biscuit and confectionery makers in the country, has employed 35 students on a part-time basis.
One of the part-timers is Rafsana Rahman, who is studying at a college in Uttara. She said her experience is very good although she needs to deal with a number of visitors at the same time.
“I have learnt a lot. I am also earning money, even though it's just for a month,” she told The Daily Star.
A number of exhibitors and visitors have praised the organisers for the overall management, particularly the control of dust. They, however, have complained about the quality of toilets.
But an official of the EPB said the cleaners turn up in the morning, and it is tough to cater to a huge turnout with just 52 toilets.
Some exhibitors complained about the high rent for stalls and pavilions. One pavilion owner said he has to spend about Tk 40 lakh for the space.
Badrul Islam, a businessman based in Sylhet, bought a showcase from a furniture company. He said the government needs to ensure that substandard products are not sold in the fair. Otherwise, the fair will lose its appeal.
Sales at the fair, which is scheduled to end on January 31, are also growing. It totalled Tk 85 crore in 2015 and Tk 80 crore the year before.
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