DITF 2004 expects more participants
600 applications for 400 stalls, pavilions
Sarwar A Chowdhury
The 10th version of Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) to be held next year will attract more participants than the previous year, organisers hope as they are getting good response from business firms from home and abroad.Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) officials said they are expecting to accommodate more than 400 stalls and pavilions in the DITF 2004. They have received about 600 applications from local and foreign enterprises. "We hope to finalise allotments by the next week," said an official. Last year a total of 392 firms took part in the fair, an annual event aiming at promoting local products and expanding export market, opening stalls and pavilions set up at the traditional fair venue at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will inaugurate the month-long DITF 2004, organised by the EPB in cooperation with the ministry of Commerce, on January 1. Officials said 10 premier pavilions, 14 premier mini pavilions and 35 premier stalls have already been allocated to local participants. The organisers have increased the rental for different types of stalls and pavilions for local participants in the 10th DITF. The local participants will have to pay Tk 3.75 lakh for setting up a pavilion, Tk 2.75 lakh for a mini pavilion and Tk one lakh for a stall. The rates were Tk 3.50 lakh, Tk 2.50 lakh and Tk 90,000 respectively last year. Besides, floor rate has been fixed at Tk 6 lakh for a premier pavilion, Tk 4.50 lakh for a premier mini pavilion and Tk 1.90 lakh for a premier stall, which were Tk 5.50 lakh, Tk 4 lakh and Tk 1.50 lakh in the previous fair. However, foreign participants can set up their stalls and pavilions at the previous year's rates. They have to pay US$12,000 for a special pavilion, $7,000 for a pavilion, $5,000 for mini pavilion and $3,000 for a stall. EPB officials said the fair will showcase a wide range of local and foreign goods including machinery, equipment and materials for agriculture and gardening, carpet, chemical and allied products, cosmetics, dairy products, electrical and electronic items, food and groceries, gift items, handicrafts, home appliances, leather, leather goods and footwear, sports gear, sanitary ware, textile and garments, toys and stationary, watches and clocks, jewellery, ceramics, melamine, car and plastic products. The exposition will remain open for visitors everyday from 10am to 9pm on weekdays and from 10am to 10pm on holidays.
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