Govt drops 'international' from Dhaka Trade Fair name
Explaining the cause for the name change, the ministry said the fair has failed to maintain its international standards as many overseas brands participate through local agents rather than directly.
The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) will no longer carry the word "international" in its title, as authorities have decided to rename it the Dhaka Trade Fair (DTF) starting next year.
The decision was made today (18 August) at the 148th board meeting of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), held at its office and chaired by Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, the commerce ministry said in a press release.
Explaining the cause for the name change, the ministry said the fair has failed to maintain its international standards as many overseas brands participate through local agents rather than directly.
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"The DITF was launched in 1995 to bring together local and international buyers and sellers, with the goal of showcasing quality products and technologies from foreign companies directly. However, in practice, many foreign brands participate through local agents or representatives instead of their embassies or official delegations.
"As a result, product authenticity and quality often cannot be verified, with substandard items being marketed under foreign brand names. This has led to consumer deception, weakened the fair's international image, and reduced its attractiveness to genuine foreign buyers and visitors," reads the press release.
Today's meeting approved the EPB-managed fair calendar for FY2025-26 and partial fair calendar for FY2026-27.
Speaking at the meeting, Commerce Adviser Bashir emphasised the need for effective participation in foreign trade fairs.
"We need to analyse each fair carefully and participate where our products can expand market share. It's not just about attending; it's about boosting business and driving the country's economic growth," he said.
In line with the government's market diversification strategy, the EPB has also taken the initiative to organise a standalone international sourcing fair. The meeting approved the proposal to hold "Sourcing Bangladesh 2025" in November this year.
