DHAKA: The month long 20th Dhaka International Trade Fair begins Thursday at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with participation of some 48 organizations from 14 countries.  

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair in city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) organized by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

The premier advised the trader to search new foreign market for exporting increasing quality and versatility of the products.

The fair will remain open from 10:00am to 10:00pm everyday, however, there are separate gates for the VIPs.

However, the organizers expected that some 80,000 people will visit the fair everyday.

The entry fee is fixed at Tk 30 for adult person while Tk 20 for minors. 

Pakistan, India, USA, Thailand, Australia, Singapore, Turkey, UK, Iran, Malaysia, China, UAE, South Korea and Germany joined the fair.

To protect visitors and stall owners from any subversive situation, the authorities have installed 80 close circuit (CCTV) cameras.

Moreover, BGB watch tower, metal archway and metal detector has also been set up in the fair.

Visitors will find 516 stalls and pavilions apart from nine restaurants in the fair.

Like every year, a pavilion has been installed titled ‘Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’ to project the history of liberation war, contribution of Bangabandhu on war and development of Bangladesh after liberation war.

Besides, a Sundarbans-like eco-park and two amusement parks will also be in the fair premises.

Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Commerce chairman Tajul Islam Chowdhury, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, EPB vice chairman Shubhashish Bose were also spoke in the program.

BDST: 1651 HRS, JAN 01, 2015