Exhibitors at Dhaka International Trade Fair express mixed reactions over sales

Exhibitors at the Dhaka International Trade Fair have expressed mixed reactions over sales.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 Jan 2016, 05:13 PM
Updated : 29 Jan 2016, 05:13 PM

While on group is satisfied with the volume of trade recorded throughout the month, the other is frustrated with poor sales despite a large number of visitors.

The stalls selling crockery, plastic products, foreign dresses and furniture are getting good returns on their investment.

The shopkeepers said the demand for cosmetics and ornaments too was high.

Owners of these stalls were having a gala time on Friday.

But in contrast, traders dealing in locally-made dresses said they incurred huge loss.

One of them, Matin Sarker, cited irregularities in the lottery conducted in allotting the stalls as one of the reasons for the loss.

He said many non-traders after acquiring the stalls through lottery leased them out to the “real traders” charging exorbitant rent.

Sarker said he also rented the stall from a “third party” paying extra.

Sriha Coolmat Industries owner Mamun Kabir said though sales were not adequate, he managed to make some profit.

Kitchen appliances were another item which is selling like hot cakes. Some of the sellers offered a bundle of 10 to 11 items at Tk 20,000 to 22,000.

Three bundles were seen vanishing off the shelves in 10 minutes on Friday.

Products from India, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Iran and other foreign countries were also on high demand.