Huge turnout at DITF

The ninth Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) saw a huge turnout of visitors yesterday.

Sadat, who visited the fair with a few of his friends, said they had intended to visit the fair few days ago but they were compelled to change their decision because of the cold wave sweeping across the country. However, city dwellers yesterday experienced lesser chilly weather.

Organisers were upbeat on huge turnout. They said large number of visitors came as the day was a weekly holiday and the weather was also good.

Visitors were mainly crowding the stalls of cosmetics, show pieces, handicrafts, leather goods, textile and garment products, toys, jewelry, ceramics, melamine and plastic products.

Besides, stalls of Iranian, Pakistani, Japanese and Korean stalls witnessed huge visitors.

Many companies announced special discounts and lucky coupons on purchase to attract customers.

Sharmin Chowdhury, a resident of city's Jatrabari area, said she bought a microwave oven in the fair.

The fair has been jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

A total of 426 local and foreign companies are participating in the fair this year. Of them, 392 are local companies and 34 are foreign firms.