"Stable business environment is necessary in every stage of establishing new industry, attracting foreign investment and boosting production," he said.

"None should declare any programmes that impede export activities and make the country lose in the international market," the president said addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), 2006 held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.

Earlier, Iajuddin inaugurated the month-long trade fair, jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

Dr Akbar Ali Khan, adviser to the ministries of finance and planning, commerce and post and telecommunication, Feroz Ahmed, secretary of commerce ministry, Mir Shahabuddin Mohammad, vice-chairman of the EPB and Mir Nasir Hossain, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) also spoke at the inaugural ceremony.

"Despite having huge competitions and barriers in the global market, we have achieved a 21.63 percent export growth during the last fiscal year," the CA said adding that along with finding new markets for the Bangladeshi products, this performance has to be retained too.

"We have to step forward along with the global business trend as it is becoming faster through the e-commerce, we have no reason to lag behind," he added.

Participation of the foreign firms is poor in this year's fair, with only 53 companies from seven countries displaying their products. Among them, Malaysia is the 'large-scale' participant at the 12th fair while other foreign participants are firms from India, Iran, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, and the USA. A total of 418 companies are taking part.

The participating companies are showcasing a wide range of local and foreign products including machinery, equipment and materials for agriculture and gardening, carpet, chemical and allied products, cosmetics, dairy products, electrical and electronic items, food and groceries, gift items, handicrafts, home appliances, leather, leather goods and footwear, sports gear, sanitary ware, textile and garments, toys and stationery, watches and clocks, jewellery, ceramics, melamine, car and plastic products.

Speaking as the special guest, Adviser Dr Akbar Ali Khan said the government has already formed a high-power committee, headed by the commerce secretary, to resolve the businessmen's problems that they have been facing during the last few days due to political unrest.

FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain in his speech urged the CA to find a solution to the ongoing political impasse as early as possible.

Launched in 1995, the main objective of the DITF was to attract the foreign buyers to promote exportable goods produced in Bangladesh. After a few successful events the number of foreign participants started to drop. Twenty-two countries took part in the DITF in 2002. The next year, the number went down to 20, followed by 16 in 2004 and only 10 last year.

Tickets for the fair will be available at the entrance at Tk 10 for adults and Tk 5 for children.

The fair to be concluded on January 2, will remain open to visitors from 10:00am to 9:00pm on weekdays and from 10:00am to 10:00pm on the holidays.