According to DITF officials, 55 foreign companies are participating in the fair this year
Customers in this year's Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) are preferring consumer electronic items of local brands to those of foreign ones.
Visiting stalls and pavilions at the month-long fair, customers have been found to buy local electronic appliances including television, refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, microwave/electric oven and more.
This they are doing as the quality, configuration and prices of the products are what they are looking for.
Pavilions of Bangladeshi brands such as Walton, PRAN-RFL, Jamuna Electronics, Minister, Myone Electronics, Marcel and others are attracting most of the buyers.
Leading local home appliance brand Walton is displaying over 100 electronic items at two pavilions.
Another local brand Minister Hi-Tech Park Ltd is also displaying more than 100 of their products, while they have introduced 10 new products exclusively at the fair.
KMG Kibria, head of brand and communication at Minister Hi-Tech Park Ltd, said they introduced the latest 4K TV with new technology, six-door refrigerator models and inverter air conditioners, all made in their factories.
"Our products are aimed at middle-income people, which are the majority in Bangladesh," said Sabbir Ahmed Shakil, pavilion-in-charge at Walton, adding, "To attract more customers we are giving 5-10% discount on all our products, as well as EMI facilities."
He also said Walton introduced eight new TV, refrigerator and washing machine models at the fair, while more items would be launched at the fair in the coming days.
"Our sister concern Marcel Electronics has also brought new electronic items at the fair," Sabbir mentioned.
Sohel Kabir, pavilion manager at Vision Electronics, said customers were few in the initial days of the fair but hoped sales would increase as more products would be introduced soon.
"Although some parts are imported, the products are assembled in Bangladesh. The quality is ensured and our sales record proves it. I can guarantee that customers will not go for others brands after looking at our products," he added.
Mohammad Moniruzzaman, who came from Shantinagar, was looking at air conditioners and fridges at a Walton pavilion.
Asked why he chose to visit a local brand's pavilion instead of an international one, he said the local brands were performing well in the markets because of their affordability.
"All of them are giving discounts on their products. I hope to find good appliances within my budget," he added.
Visiting a pavilion of Esquire Electronics that imports electronic items from Japan, China, Thailand and Malaysia, they were found offering up to 50% discount on some products.
Depending on size and price, customers who will purchase a particular model of refrigerator or washing machine from them will either get 50% discount, or a microwave oven for free,
They are offering discounts ranging from Tk1,000 to Tk24,000 on each product.
Mamunur Rashid, an employee at Esquire's pavilion, said they had brought new models of four-door refrigerators at the fair, while some other products would also be launched soon.
He added their products were preferred by the upper-middle and upper class consumers, as they offered imported products with high price ranges.
On the other hand, some non-branded companies are offering discounts and "Buy-one-get-10-items-free" packages on certain electronic products.
For example, if anyone buys a washing machine worth Tk40,000 from their stalls, they will get an oven, cooking items, blender, water filter, gas cabinet stove and other items for free.
Kiam Metal Industries Ltd is offering 10% discount on all their products at the fair.
According to DITF officials, 55 foreign companies are participating in the fair this year.
The 25th edition of DITF 2020 began on January 1 at Agargaon in Dhaka. 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.
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