The 30th Chattogram International Trade Fair (CITF) 2023 is set to begin on Wednesday in the port city.
Organised by the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the month-long fair will be held at the Railway Polo Ground, covering around 4 lakh square feet of area, according to organisers.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, AKM Akther Hossain, member of the fair organising committee, said more than 300 companies will participate in this year’s fair with 400 booths in three separate zones.
The booths will include 20 premier pavilions, 56 premier stalls, 94 golden stalls, 48 mega stalls and 11 food stalls.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud will inaugurate the event as the chief guest at 3:00pm Thursday.
Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, mayor, Chattogram City Corporation, MA Latif, member of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Shipping, and Md Jasim Uddin, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), will be present on the occasion as special guests.
“Since 1993, we have been organising the CITF with the aim of promoting domestic products,” said Akther Hossain, who is also a director of the CCCI.
According to Akther, following in the footsteps of the previous fairs, small and medium entrepreneurs from different parts of the country will display their products at this year’s fair.
At the same time, various established groups will set up several pavilions to promote and sell their products.
“We hope that hundreds of thousands of people from across the Chattogram city will visit the fair to buy their desired products and enjoy the overall arrangements. Every year we try to organise the fair in a slightly different way,” Akhtar said.
He continued, “This year too, we have also taken all-out efforts to make the event interesting. We have set up Bangabandhu Pavilion at the fair.
“Besides, arrangements are being made to display the autobiography of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, various books and publications related to the Liberation War with the help of Batighar.”
For the whole month, the fair will remain open to visitors from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Visitors can enter the fair by purchasing tickets at Tk 20. However, students of the playgroup to 7th grade will be able to enter the fair for free.
Organisers said apart from local entrepreneurs, several businesses from India, Iran and Thailand will also showcase their products at the fair.
In addition, organisers have also allotted one stall each to Bishwo Sahitto Kendro, Sandhani, Right Action For Disability, Chattogram Deaf Sports and Welfare Association, and Electrician Welfare Association.
Besides, organisers have set up information booths to help visitors. The police force and members of other security agencies will be deployed at the venue to ensure security.
The whole venue will be monitored through CCTV cameras and a unit of fire service will be present at the fair premises at all times to deal with any fire accidents.
Furthermore, other amenities, including prayer rooms, washrooms, an open plaza for visitors to rest, and playground for kids, have been built at the venue.
“The fair is not just a place of business. It is also an opportunity to connect with others. Many foreign envoys will visit the fair. This will help create opportunities to expand our local goods in foreign markets,” said Akther Hossain.
He added, “Ministers from different ministries will visit the fair along with other high-profile government officials, which will help in deciding necessary policies to develop our local industries.”
At the end of the fair, organisers will award special medals and crests to the top booths, pavilions and local goods producers.
