The fair will be held at Agora at Gulshan, PQS Super Center at Uttara, Meena Bazar at Dhanmondi and Pacific Super Center at Kakrail.

"The fair is one of the Thai fruits promotional activities of the Thai government in Bangladesh," said Inthorn Wankeao, minister counsellor (commercial) of Thai Embassy in Dhaka, at a press briefing at Sonargaon Hotel yesterday.

The fair, organised by Thai Embassy in Dhaka in collaboration with the four superstores, will exhibit Thailand's popular tropical fruits including 'rambutan' and 'longan', he said. Thailand is a leading producer and exporter of fruits in Asia.

Wankeao said the Thai government and private sector are working together to conduct research to improve the quality, taste, nutritional value, yields and packaging of Thai fruits as well as develop technology and transportation.

"As a result, many Thai fruits have become popular to consumers worldwide," he added.

"Fruits are very cheap in Thailand. But after paying import duty, supplementary duty, advanced income tax, development surcharge and freight charges, the cost becomes a bit higher," said Wankeao.

Presently, Thai fruits are imported from Chiang Mai to Chittagong and then transported to Dhaka. However, the cost of import will be less if the fruits are brought directly to Dhaka from Bangkok, the Thai embassy suggests.