The 24th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-2019) will begin from January 9 at Sher-E-Bangla Nagar, west side of Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), in the city.
President Abdul Hamid is expected to inaugurate the month-long fair organized jointly by the Commerce Ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Talking to BSS, EPB Director General Avijit Chowdhury said the trade fair will start from January 9 instead of January 1 for the December 30 national election.
He said preparation is at the last stage to hold the fair in a peaceful atmosphere and the fair will remain open for visitors from 10am to 10 pm up to February 8.
He said there will be 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 in the fair venue.
The participants in the fair will display different kinds of goods, including readymade garments, handicraft, leather and plastic polymer, he added.
The director general said 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 this year.
The foreign participants will also have the opportunity to display their state-of the-art technology to the local producers and exporters, he added.
He said there will be a digital touch screen technology centre in the fair this year. There will also be a DITF experience centre and e-listing of participants, he added.
Adequate measures have been taken by the Police Administration to ensure safety and security of local and foreign visitors.
“We have taken a tight and coordinated security arrangement for foolproof security in and around the trade fair venue by deploying a large number of police force,” said DMP Commissioner M Asaduzzaman Mia earlier.
He said in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, police would keep an eye on the venue and “everyone will have to pass through metal detectors and archways there”.
The DMP chief said hawkers and baggers would be barred from roaming around the venue which would be brought under closed circuit camera televisions.
The DMP, he said, would install a makeshift control room, a lost and found centre, a medical centre and four help desks to facilitate visitors while special police teams would be in place to stop ticket black marketing and eve-teasing.
He has warned of taking stern action against the food courts which would not show price list.
The DMP chief requested all the people concerned to discharge their professional duties with utmost sincerity and professionalism.