Low turnout persists at DITF on fourth day

Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2020 still did not witness high visitor attendance as of Saturday, with traders hoping for an increase in the coming days of the month-long event.

Visiting the fair on its fourth day, clothing and sari stalls were found offering discounts ranging between 10% and 40% on their products.

Chhowa Collection, a clothing stall, is giving discounts ranging from Tk100 to Tk700 per piece of unstitched salwar-kamiz three-piece sets.

Additionally, they are selling three sets for Tk700 together, which sell individually for Tk450 per set.

Didar Hossain, a sales executive of the stall, said Chhowa Collection brought three-piece sets from India and Pakistan, along with Bangladeshi collections.

"Prices range from Tk450 to Tk4,150 per set. We are selling our products with huge discounts to attract customers at the early stage of the fair," he added.

Another foreign stall, Kashmiri Shawl, is giving 10% discount on their products.

"We have Kashmiri shawls and three-piece sets, priced at Tk1,200 to Tk1 lakh per piece," said Mohammad Shafi, an Indian trader and owner of the stall, adding, "There was good turnout on Friday as it was a weekend, but we could not sell much today (Saturday.)"

Shamima Akter Daisy, who came from Bhola, was bargaining for clothes at a stall. She said some stalls were giving discounts, while others sold at fixed rates.

"Some stalls still haven't opened. I'm not sure if they will offer discounts on clothes," she added.

Ariful Islam, another customer from Mirpur, bought a three-piece set from Dress Line with 40% discount.

"I was visiting the fair alone today and bought something for my wife as I found huge discount at the stalls," he said.

Meanwhile, construction of some stalls remained incomplete on Saturday despite passing the fourth day of the month-long fair.

Shahadat Hossain, owner of Amin cosmetics, said they finished constructing their stall early Saturday and began selling late in the afternoon.

"As we began late, we could not sell anything yet. But hopefully sales will pick up in a few days," he added.

The 25th edition of DITF 2020 began on Wednesday in the capital’s Agargaon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau, there are 483 stalls of different organizations from 21 countries including Bangladesh this year.

Among them, there are 112 pavilions, 128 mini pavilions and 243 different category stalls.