Japan trade fair draws huge crowd
Visitors gather at a stall displaying cars at Japan Trade Fair 2007 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka yesterday. The fair that showcases Japanese products concludes today. Photo: STAR
With special interests in Japanese brands, quality conscious consumers yesterday thronged Japan Trade Fair 2007 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.
From curious customers to entrepreneurs who were looking for possibilities of business partnerships with Japanese companies, everyone was found busy at the fair that ends today.
Amran Hossain, a university graduate, came to the fair to buy a quality cellphone set for himself.
"Stuffs are quite impressive here," said Hossain, adding, "The fair is an assembly of many products."
Businessman Mobashwer Ali was visiting the fair hoping to find some good companies for his planned venture of importing quality products from Japan for the local market.
"I am here to find out companies trying to get distributors in Bangladesh for their products," said Ali.
Dominated by electronics products, including multi-media, computer accessories and other home appliances, the three-day show is expected to boost trade ties between the two friendly nations.
Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) organised the fair in association with the Japanese Embassy and Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro). The Daily Star and Bangla language daily Shamokal are the media partners of the event.
"Response is very good. People are interested. Some new companies from Japan also came here to gain better knowledge about the market of Bangladesh," said JBCCI Vice President Abdul Haque.
Statistics shows despite huge trade imbalance, Bangladesh is doing little to boost exports to the lucrative Japanese market. On the other hand, Japan is making vigorous efforts to market their products here.
In 2006-07, Bangladesh imported Japanese goods worth US$690.36 million against exports of US$ 147.47 million.
However, Jetro says it is working relentlessly to promote bilateral trade between the two nations.
"To reduce trade imbalance, Bangladeshi side has to make critical analysis of Japanese market, understand requirements of Japanese people," said Jetro Manager for Administration and Research Liton C Sarker, adding, public sector must play the role of facilitator.
He said Jetro also supports arrangement of Bangladesh fair in Japan the same way it supports in arranging Japanese fair in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has prospects of exporting home textiles, leather goods, handicrafts, readymade garments, ceramics and jute goods to Japan.
"In order to attract more investments in Bangladesh, the government should give clear ideas of the country's situation to Japanese investors," said Abdul Hamid Sharif, secretary general of Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers & Dealers Association.
Such fairs are good opportunities where businesses of both the countries can meet and understand the qualities of products and markets of both the countries, he added.
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