DITF 2000 kicks off today

The sixth Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) takes place today with 386 companies from home and abroad putting on display a plethora of world-class products, reports UNB.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the yearly trade extravaganza at 10;30 am. Ministers, politicians, diplomats and high civil and military officials are expected to attend the opening function.

Highest-ever participants from home will display their products in the month-long DITF 2000.

Some 314 local companies were selected to put their products and services on display in 32 pavilions, 49 mini-pavilions and 233 stalls as against 290 that took part in the DITF '99. Local entrepreneurs will also set up six restaurants.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) sources said the number of participants from foreign countries reduced this year by 10 to 72 companies from 29 countries. Last year, 82 companies came from 26 countries.

Among the foreign firms, the fair organiser EPB selected 12 from Pakistan followed by six each from India and Iran, four each from China, Italy, Singapore and USA, three from Hong Kong, two each from Australia, Egypt, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, UK and one each from Bhutan, Canada, Chile, Denmark, DPR Korea, Germany, Norway, Oman, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan and Turkey.

The hosts estimated an expenditure of Tk 4 crore for construction, electricity supply, telephone network, maintaining law and order, fire service and Dhaka City Corporation service.

Dutch-Bangla Bank sponsored the main gate of the fair while Rangs Group and SABINCO two fountains on the sprawling fair grounds.

Two vehicles of fire service will remain standby on the fair ground and be responsible for mitigating dust jointly with Public Works Department while DCC sweepers will be posted there for cleaning.

EPB leased out the entry gates to a private firm, Classic World, for Tk 1.16 crore, car parking Tk 8 lakh, announcement Tk 20 lakh and toilet Tk 2 lakh to meet the costs. Some Tk 2.50 crore will come from rentals, said an official.

He said the authorities had earned a profit of over Tk 50 lakh last year, with which primary expenditure for this fair could be met easily. The profit was made due to extension of the DITF '99 by six days.

Participation of commercial banks in a greater numbers indicates huge transactions at the fair, he said.

Janata Bank, Sonali Bank, Dutch- Bangla Bank, Mercantile Bank and National Bank will set up their temporary branches for banking on the exhibition ground.