DITF to be held in Purbachal in March

The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is likely to be held in Purbachal in March 2021 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) acting secretary Mahmudul Hasan told The Business Standard that the EPB decided this at a board meeting held on Sunday.

He said, "As per the decision taken in the board meeting, the fair will be held in Purbachal. The fair was supposed to be held on 1 January, 2021. This year, the fair will be held in March."  

Meeting sources said the fair organiser, the EPB, will send a letter to the prime minister this week seeking her time for the inauguration – setting the tentative date for 17 March, the birthday of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  

Mahmudul Hasan said the decision has been taken to arrange the fair at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal instead of the regular venue of Agargaon, in the city.

Traditionally, the month-long fair starts on 1 January every year.

The Dhaka International Trade Fair first kicked off in 1995. Since the start, local companies have used the opportunity of the trade fair to popularise their brands.

City dwellers have also shown great enthusiasm in visiting the fair.

A good number of enterprises from 21 countries took part in the 25th edition of the fair last year, but unfortunately, the EPB failed to say how many export orders were received at that fair.

However, Tk200 crore export orders were received at last year's trade fair.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, was, among others, present at the meeting.