Chattogram International Trade Fair to return after two-year gap

The Chattogram International Trade Fair (CITF) is set to return after a two-year gap, with organisers planning to increase participation by foreign companies and leading local businesses to give the month-long event a stronger international character.

The 32nd CITF is tentatively scheduled to open on 23 November at the Railway Polo Ground, featuring 20 pavilions and 215 stalls, according to a press release.

"We will take all necessary initiatives to make the fair a truly international trade fair, rather than limiting it to the name," said Amir Humayun Mahmud Chowdhury, former president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry and adviser to the CITF 2026 committee.

He made the remarks at a preparatory meeting at the World Trade Centre's seminar hall on Thursday.

The organisers are contacting embassies of different countries to facilitate the participation of foreign companies, according to the chamber.

The fair will be organised by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has held the event at the Polo Ground for 31 years.

Amir Humayun said the chamber had completed preparations for the fair after a two-year break and obtained permission from the railway authorities to use the venue.

The organisers also plan to make the fair more attractive, visually appealing and secure, taking the Dhaka International Trade Fair as a model, he said.

"Expanding trade and commerce, increasing interaction between local and foreign businesses, and creating opportunities to showcase new products and services to consumers are among the key objectives of this year's fair," he said.

CITF 2026 committee Chairman SM Saiful Alam said the Chattogram trade fair had once been a major recreational and social gathering for city residents, with people looking forward to it throughout the year.

"We hope the fair will once again be held in a festive and vibrant atmosphere," he said.

The organisers also plan to involve local business associations more closely this year.

Saiful said eight to 10 business organisations in Chattogram would be encouraged to set up stalls to showcase their activities to the public.

The initiative aims to turn the fair into a meeting point for businesses and consumers while giving business organisations an opportunity to present their activities to a wider audience, he said.

The meeting was attended by Chamber Senior Vice-President Md Amzad Hossain Chowdhury, fair committee Co-Chairman and Chamber Director Aman Ullah Al Chhagir (Chhuttu), Abu Haider Chowdhury (Amzad), Chamber directors and committee members Asad Iftekhar, ASM Ismail Khan, Mohammad Nurul Islam, Sarwar Alam Khan, Shahidul Alam, Mohammad Shafiul Alam (Badsha) and Md Selim Nur, and Asian Apparels Ltd Director Wasif Ahmed Salam.