Is the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) still relevant?

It used to be like this — every year, come January, Dhaka Trade Fair would open its door to all, promising unique products from foreign companies, or local companies bringing innovative products. Add to the fact that Bangladeshis love going to fairs in the chilly winter, and visiting the Fair soon became one of the most anticipated activities of the year. Fast forward to today, and while the fair is still going strong, something seems amiss, as many do not get the same vibe or excitement as before. 

This ultimately brings out the question; is the Dhaka International Trade Fair still relevant, or has it become much more than just an annual fair?

 "I remember going to the fair as a child with my parents. We would see so many different things, especially from all the foreign stalls. It felt more like a festival than just a place full of stalls selling products. While I still go to the fair at least once every year, now the fair feels too much like an overpriced version of New Market where everything is found, but at a steep price, minus the excitement like before," said Sahana Parvin, who used to come from Narayanganj to visit the fair.

One of the main criticisms of the DITF is that it hardly features anything unique anymore with an overwhelming number of stalls selling similar products making it difficult for visitors to find anything truly unique or innovative. Additionally, there are always hassles like the 'buy one get ten free' like deals that don't really live up to its offer, or the skirmishes regarding food that charges an exorbitant price compared to regular restaurants.

Another issue is that the fair has lost its sense of community and cultural significance. The fair was traditionally a time for people to come together and celebrate, but in recent years, it has become more of a shopping event, with businesses focused solely on making sales instead of bringing innovative products, and visitors focused on finding the highest discounted products that can be found in other places. This has led to a lack of excitement and energy at the fair, leaving many visitors disappointed.

Despite these criticisms, the DITF is still one of the most popular events in Bangladesh, drawing in thousands of visitors each year. The DITF still has that pull among people who want to spend quality time with their friends and family. As the scope of doing something fun is quite limited for residents of Dhaka, DITF continues to be a must-visit opportunity when winter arrives. Moving the fair from its old venue of Agargaon to Purbachal has also been a big positive as the bigger venue of Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre has given the fair a much-needed modern facelift.

"It's true. What we see at the fair can be found in any market or online, but I think the fair is still relevant because it is always fun to check out so many kinds of stalls in one area, as it is just not about going on a shopping spree, but rather get into the mood of the fair. The foreign stalls still offer quality goods like Turkish lamps or Kashmiri shawls. Hopefully, over the years, the fair will become better so that people can have a truly great experience when they visit," said Abrar Hossain, a resident of Dhaka.

Since the fair is organised by the Export Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Commerce, one of its most pertinent causes is the export orders that are placed there by international customers. In the 26th iteration of the Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF), which ended on 31 January 2022 Bangladesh secured export orders totalling 16 million dollars. Additionally, throughout the month-long event, goods worth around Tk 400 million were sold, and Tk 15 million in VAT was collected. This year the turnover is expected to be even higher.

In order for DITF to be more relevant, it needs to focus on innovation and community engagement, rather than just being a commercial event. The fair must focus on creating a sense of excitement and cultural significance, and on providing visitors with a truly unique and enjoyable experience. Only then can it truly be considered relevant and an annual tradition to be looked forward to.