DITF to be renamed as DTF when direct participation of foreign cos falls

The government has decided to rename Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) to single term Dhaka Trade Fair (DTF) as direct participation of foreign companies has almost dropped. FTF will be however held every year. 
 
Dhaka International Trade Fair, started in 1995 had aimed at organizing the event every year combining international and domestic buyers and sellers. Initially it had aimed at promoting the quality products and make popular use of technologies through direct participation of foreign companies.

But in reality direct international participation has almost become disappeared over time. Now it is seen that most foreign companies participate through their local agents or individuals instead of participating directly. 
 
As a result, the quality of products and services cannot be verified, and at many times local agents of foreign companies show substandard products or only use fake brand names of foreign companies. 

Due to absence of participation of foreign direct brands or manufacturers, buyers have been cheated and the international image of the exhibition tarnished. 

As a result, attraction of foreign buyers/visitors is decreasing, local entrepreneurs are unable to learn global trends and technologies, and the international brand image of the fair is weakening.

Decision of renaming DITF has been taken at the 148th meeting of the Board of Directors of the Export Promotion Bureau's (EPB) on Monday, chaired by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.

Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce Mahbubur Rahman, Vice Chairman of the EPB Anwar Hossain, Additional Secretary (Export) Abdur Rahim Khan, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan and President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kamran Tanvir Rahman were present at the event.

The meeting approved the fair calendar for fiscal 2025-2026 and the partial fair calendar for fiscal 2026-2027 for participating in international trade fairs managed by the Export Promotion Bureau.

Regarding participation in fairs organized abroad, the Adviser said, "We need to have an analysis about each fair. Where there is a need to expand the market for our country's products, we need to participate effectively. We need to focus not only on participation but also on how the country improves and the business grows."

The EPB has taken the initiative now to organize a separate international sourcing fair instead of DITF for local manufacturers in line with the government's market diversification strategy. 
 
The meeting approved organizing the "Sourcing Bangladesh 2025" fair in upcoming November. Highlighting the rationale for organizing the sourcing fair, the Commerce Secretary said, "If sourcing fairs are not organized, recognition of domestic products in international arena will not increase, and our capacity will not be built." 

He also emphasized the need to take initiatives to increase the sourcing fairs outside the country through Bangladesh missions abroad.