Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid is scheduled to open the 24th edition of Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar in the city on Wednesday, the first one to be inaugurated by the Head of the State, reports the UNB.

‘This will be the first time the President will inaugurate the event, which is usually opened by the Prime Minister,’ Avijit Chowdhury, the Director General of Export Promotion Bureau, told UNB on Monday.

President Hamid will open the fair at 3pm on the day.

The DITF was pushed back because of Bangladesh’s December 30 national election. A new Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was sworn-in in the afternoon.

‘The PM is skipping the inauguration because she will be busy,’ Avijit said.

He said participants from various countries, including India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the US, the UK, Nepal, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, the Maldives, Mauritius, Russia, Iran and Swaziland, will participate in the DITF.

It will remain open for visitors from 10am to 10pm until February 8. 

There will be 550 stalls and pavilions, including 60 premium pavilions, 38 premium mini pavilions, 20 reserved pavilions for women, 26 foreign pavilions, 18 general pavilions and 22 food stalls in the fair.

The participants will display different kinds of products, including readymade garments, handicraft, leather and plastic polymer and food items. 

Avijit said the mega event will be shifted to a permanent venue in Purbachal in 2021, where construction work is going on at the moment.

The EPB and Commerce Ministry have been organising the month-long annual fair since 1995.