PM inaugurates month-long Dhaka International Trade FairLook for new markets for Bangladesh's products: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked the exporters to be more careful to bring back the money, which is used in export purpose, and maintain balance in import and export.

“We need to urgently maintain balance in import and export. I will urge everyone to be more careful about that purpose,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the the month-long 28th edition of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at Purbachal.

She also put emphasis on searching for new markets and products for the export basket to reduce dependency on handful of destinations.

“For that we need to look for new products, new destinations and markets abroad. We should not be dependent on one or two markets worldwide,” she said.

In this connection, she mentioned that Bangladesh has to overcome various types of hurdles and barriers to send its export items worldwide.

Hasina, also chief of the ruling Awami League, said that in its manifesto for January 7 election the Awami League projected export earnings at USD 150 billion by 2030.

“But for that we have to catch new markets, and our time is short. Above all, if we have fixed a target it will be easy to attain the target. We want to work like this way,” she said.

State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and vice-chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) AHM Ahsan also spoke at the programme.

Five foreign countries – Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Iran – alongside local companies are taking part in the 28th edition of the fair where exhibitors will showcase products. Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China, is also participating in it.

The prime minister also declared handicrafts products as the product of the year for 2024.

A documentary on the export trading of the country was screened at the programme.

The fair will continue from 21 January to 20 February. The Ministry of Commerce and the EPB have been organising trade fairs since 1995.

The DITF usually commences on 1 January each year. However, the EPB postponed the fair due to the 12th national elections held on 7 January.

The trade fair will run from 10am to 9pm daily and to 10pm at weekends. The entry fee is Tk50 for adults and Tk25 for children aged below 12 years. Freedom fighters and physically challenged people need no fee.

BRTC buses have been arranged from Farmgate and Kuril Bishwa Road to the fair premises for the convenience of visitors.

A total of 330 stalls have been allotted along with 23 pavilions and 27 mini pavilions.

There will also be 15 food stalls of different categories which can accommodate up to 500 people.

There are also a prayer room, children's playground, media corner, office rooms, medical rooms, guest rooms for officials, and stores.

The parking area can provide facilities for 500 vehicles