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The Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2024 drew huge crowds on Friday, the second weekend since the trade show's curtain rose on January 21.
Visitors started descending on the fair premises since gates opened in the morning, thanks to a moderate rise in temperature and better communications to and from the venue, according to traders and organisers.
Unlike the previous two editions, they are satisfied with visitor turnout and sales this time, as consumers move to the venue despite its distance from the city.
The Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau have organised the 28th edition of the fair at Purbachal with intent to promote Bangladesh's exports.
The Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre is hosting the event for the third time.
A visit to the fair at noon revealed a huge gathering in almost every part of the venue, including ticket counters, entry gates, stalls and pavilions.
The global-standard venue consists of a huge indoor exhibition centre and its surrounding open space.
The visitors were seen spending time around a water fountain with their close ones, snapping photos and others crowding towards stalls and pavilions to buy products of their choice.
Abdullah Mahdi was one of the visitors who came with his wife and two children mostly to pass time.
"I came to take a quick peep at new products, especially household items," he said, adding that the fair is a nice platform to know and buy new merchandise.
Mr Mahdi, however, said the presence of foreign participants was relatively lower.
"For a buyer like me, foreign pavilions are an interesting part of the event as they bring in merchandise of unique designs," he told the FE.
A trader from Jammu and Kashmir, Umer Khan, joined the fair to sell warm clothes like famous pashmina shawl.
Expressing satisfaction with the overall arrangement of the fair, he told the FE that he had been participating in the fair since 2013.
"The fair began late this year making the demand for warm clothes slightly lower due to a rise in temperature," he said.
To attract more visitors, the organisers have installed an entertainment park inside the fairground.
The Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation offers shuttle service from Kuril Biswa Road, Khejurbagan (Farmgate), Narayanganj and Narsingdi from 8:00 am daily to transport visitors to and from the fair.
The fare from Kuril to the fairground is fixed at Tk 35, from Farmgate at Tk 70, from Narayanganj at Tk 120, and from Narsingdi at Tk 90.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair on January 21, declaring 'handicraft' as the 'Product of the Year' for 2024.
The trade show is scheduled to conclude on February 20.
The entry fee has been increased this year to Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children aged below 12 from last year's Tk 40 and Tk 20 respectively.
The fair is open from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm daily and to 10:00 pm on weekends.