Weekend offers hope for sellers at Dhaka Trade Fair

The weekend came as a ray of hope for sellers at Dhaka International Trade Fair-2022 as crowds grew by at least five to seven times in size for the first time since the month-long event began on January 1.

This year's fair has so far been plagued by a drought of buyers amid fears of a fresh Covid-19 outbreak due to the global spread of Omicron, a new variant of the rogue virus.

Besides, the trade fair's new location at Purbachal on the outskirts of Dhaka could also be behind the low customer turnout, according to sellers.

"The turnout declined steadily throughout the first week as an average of only 5,500 daily visitors added up to 30,000 customers in the first four days," said Saidur Rahman, manager of Mir Brothers, the company that leased the fair's entrance gate.

However, the weekend alone drew in at least 70,000 visitors, he added.

As such, many traders expressed satisfaction with their weekend sales, especially considering the limited turnout in the days prior.

This year, a total of 225 stalls, including 23 pavilions, 27 mini pavilions, 160 stalls and 15 food stalls have been leased out to various local and international organisations.

Joyeeta Foundation, an initiative of the women and children affairs ministry, set up a large pavilion where 25 female entrepreneurs from the grassroots level are selling different products, including garments and food items.

Anzumannahar, one of the female entrepreneurs of the foundation who hails from Jashore, said they were able to sell their products directly to customers and get higher prices through Joyeeta.

"We are now hopeful about our business even though the number of buyers was too low before the weekend," she said.

However, some furniture and electronics companies expressed frustration over the lack of space at the venue as they were unable to secure enough room to properly display their products.

But to offset this drawback, they are focusing on promoting their online sale options.

Prosun Roberty, in-charge of Brothers Furniture, said his company did not get adequate space to display its products.

"This fair has a market worth around Tk 20 crore but none of the companies got proper space," he added.

Roberty went on to say that customer turnout was very poor sans the weekend.

"So, digital display is only the hope to advertise our products but it's not the right way for clients," he said.

But despite rising tension over the recent wave of coronavirus infections sweeping across the globe, it was seen that many visitors and participants were ignoring health guidelines, such as the mandatory use of face coverings and maintaining social distance.

Delwar Hossain, an official of the Export Promotion Bureau who was in-charge of the main entrance, said as per the authorities' direction, they were trying their best to ensure that people wore masks and maintained other guidelines.

"We also offer free masks for them. People should be conscious of their own safety," he added.

Exhibitors had on display both local and foreign goods, including electronics, apparels, jute and leather products, furniture, plastic goods, handicrafts, and food items.