A large number of visitors crowd the Dhaka International Trade Fair at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital on Friday. — New Age photo

The Dhaka International Trade Fair-2013 which began on January 1 witnessed a large number of visitors on Friday, the second weekend after the start of the fair.
Traders said visitors at the fair were buying mainly plastic, kitchenware and electronics goods.
‘It’s easy to find desired items at the fair as there are many models and items available in a single place. So, I usually buy my kitchenware from here,’ said Nadira Zaman, a visitor.
She also said that prices of the products at the fair were cheaper than those at other markets in the capital.
‘We are happy about today’s turnout of the visitors. But, still it is below our expectation,’ said Kiam Pavilions’ manager Motiur Rahman.
He also said that their sales target were yet to be achieved.
Nurul Afser, brand manager of Talukder Group, said, ‘We are offering 5 to 10 per cent discounts on our 18 packages and the offer increased our sales by 30 to 40 per cent compared with that at the last year’s trade fair.’
He said that their company introduced 60 new items at the fair and they were also offering customers facilities like home delivery.
Bengal Plastic brand manger Ashiqur Rahman said like other plastic companies they were offering 5 to 15 per cent discount on all kind of products to customers.
‘As our main target is to introduce our products at the fair, we are unhappy about our sales position,’ he added.
A visitor said, ‘Different companies are offering discounts at the fair and that’s why I am buying some items from here.’
The Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce are jointly holding the month-long 18th DITF at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.