People of all ages swarmed at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the fair venue, on the second day of the 10th edition of the annual trade extravaganza to see around as well as buy products and services offered by 17 countries.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on Thursday inaugurated the month-long exposition organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

Major characteristics of this year's fair are separate zones for homogeneous products and services. To facilitate visitors, organisers have allotted contiguous plots to homogeneous companies to set up cluster shops, a move widely appreciated by visitors.

"We can verify prices and choose the best one from different shops. We can walk up straight to that particular zone sparing ourselves of the hassle to walk down the whole premises," Selina Akhtar of Pallabi said.

Many shops are incomplete. Workers were putting final touches to their stalls and products in order yesterday. "We got the allotment number lately, so we could not start the construction works. But we will finish works within two to three days," one of participants said.

"We are expecting a huge response from local and foreign visitors. We have campaigned in hotels to woo foreign visitors to the fair," an EPB official present at the DITF office said.

"We have done our best to serve the visitors. After allegation of harassment by lessees in the previous years, toilet usage has been made free this year," he said.

Furniture shops are the prime attraction in fair that have an wide array of local and international brands. Buyers were in hot pursuit of Otobi, Navana, Partex, Akhtar, Gold Teak, Mitsumaru and Koncept furniture. Chinese, Thai and Malaysian outlets are also showcasing quality furniture.

"One remarkable thing that Bangladesh has achieved in last few years is a booming furniture industry. The quality is high but price is high also. So we take the chance of discount in the fair," Shamim Ahmed of Azimpur said. All the furniture companies are offering 10 to 20 per cent discount in the fair.

Being the partner country this year, Thailand has been given a 75-square-foot sprawling area for its enclosure, which houses 40 outlets. Thai silk, cuisine, handicrafts, fruits, herbal, medical services, cosmetics and toiletries, jewellery, machinery, message services are available in the Thai enclosure. China was the partner country last year.

Thai girls are serving hot Thai dishes. Thai mango, tamarind, langon fruits were being sold copiously. Thai International Union of Medicine Services is providing massage services. It offers Thai special massage at Tk 1,200, arm and shoulder at Tk 800 and foot at Tk 800.

Of the total 404 outlets, 38 are pavilions, 54 mini pavilions and 312 stalls in the fair. Last year there were 396 outlets.

EPB officials said 10 premier pavilions, 14 premier mini pavilions and 35 premier stalls have been allocated to local participants at some important and convenient places of the fair ground.

The exposition will remain open to visitors from 10:00am to 9:00pm on weekdays and from 10:00am to 10:00pm on holidays. Like the previous year, the price of an entry ticket is Tk 10 for adults and Tk 5 for minors.