Dhaka: The 24th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) begins today at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, adjacent to Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), in the city.

President M Abdul Hamid is scheduled to inaugurate the month-long fair organised jointly by the Commerce Ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), reports the BSS.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday issued separate messages wishing a grand success of the fair.

In his message, President Abdul Hamid hoped that the arrangement will make a positive contribution to local economy by establishing a link between local and foreign investors and customers.

He said specific action plan has been taken with a view to turning Bangladesh into a middle-income country by the year 2021 and a developed one by 2041.

The President said, ‘I think that the Dhaka International Trade Fair would be able to play an important role in implementing the multi-faceted economic plan and rapid development of the economy. The fair is very important to bring the producers, exporters, importers, traders and the consumers under a single platform. I hope the DITF’s arrangements will be more attractive through displaying quality goods and services.’

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said the fair will create an opportunity for sharing knowledge, skill, experiences, culture and technology with the entrepreneurs of other countries which would contribute to sustain in a competitive global trading system.

She said, ‘Bangladeshi entrepreneurs will face multi-dimensional challenges when it will graduate from its LDC status. I urge the local business communities to comply with the local and international business norms and UN principles of sustainability to realize our dream, to be a developed country by 2041.’

The prime minister said the government has been providing different incentive to diversify products and export-market, improve quality of products and enhance market competitiveness. It has been supporting the industries relentlessly’ for setting up environment-friendly green industries, using advanced technology, applying innovation techniques ensuring labour welfare and improving working environment.

‘Power production has already increased. We have developed roads and transport infrastructure, increased capacities of the ports and established economic zones. These activities are expected to accelerate trade and commerce. In the context of current global trend, we have revised our trade policies for making them more investment friendly. We must prepare ourselves to face the challenges ahead of us,’ she added.

She hoped that the fair will contribute to spread innovations amongst the local entrepreneurs in improving competitiveness and long term business relationship with their local and global partners for mutual benefits and sustainable development.

Sources said all preparation has been taken to hold the fair in a peaceful atmosphere and the fair will remain open for visitors from 10:00am to 10:00pm up to February 8.

A total of 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 will be set up in the fair venue.

Different organisations from India, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nepal, Australia, Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, the Maldives, Mauritius, Russia, Iran and Swaziland are participating in the fair.