Talking to UNB, exhibitors said buyers and visitors are yet to flock the fair venue as per their expectations thanks to the shivering cold.
Visiting the fair ground on Monday, the UNB correspondent found many exhibitors passing idle time in their stalls for lack of customers. Even decorations of some stalls and pavilions still remain incomplete.
“We’re selling different winter clothes, including sweater, jacket, pant and shirt. We’re offering discount up to 70 percent to attract customers but yet to get a good response,” said Bappi, a sales executive of Trust Mart.
He said the number of visitors may increase from the next week.
“Bad weather might be the reason behind the poor turnout of visitors and buyers. They may come after several days. Actually, huge customers visit the fair on the weekend,” he added.
Halef Ozkurt, country manager of Turkish Carpets, said they did not get enough buyers. “We’ve been taking part in the fair for many years. We’re yet to see enough customers and visitors. But we expect many will purchase our products in the upcoming days,” he added.
Halef urged the authorities concerned to notify them about foreign pavilions allotment at least one month before the beginning of the fair.
“This year, we were informed around 10 days ago of beginning of the fair which is not enough time for foreign participants. The fairground should be developed further so that more foreign companies can take part in it,” he said.
Mohammad Abdul Jalil, sales team leader of Rangpur-based brand Shatoranji of Karupannyo Rangpur Limited, said they brought many jute products in the fair but the sale is still poor for lack of customers. “We’re offering ‘buy one get one’ in some jute products for good sales,” he added.
Nargis Akhter, a visitor, said she came from Mirpur to purchase some products of jute, winter clothes and food.
“Today, I bought a bag at Tk 350, a sweater at Tk 600, a doormat and some food items. As we can purchase products among huge products at reasonable prices, we should visit the fair,” she added.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, a total of 483 stalls and pavilions are showcasing quality products from home and abroad at the fair this year. Of them, 112 are pavilions, 128 mini pavilions and 243 are stalls.
Different companies from 21 countries, including the USA, the UK, Italy, Australia, Germany, China, South Africa, Turkey, the UAE, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Pakistan and Brunei are taking part in the fair.