Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the largest annual commercial and trade event of the country on 21 January.

This is the third time the fair is taking place at the venue, located north of Kanchan Bridge in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj.

There are several ways to get to the fair venue from the capital. Meanwhile, the government has introduced shuttle services by BRTC buses for visitors from Farmgate (Khejur Bagan), Kuril Bishwa Road, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi to reach the fair premises.

As many as 60 BRTC buses will ply the routes to facilitate the transportation of passengers on weekdays. Besides, 200 BRTC buses will be available at weekends and other government holidays.

Visitors have to pay Tk70 each to get to the venue from Farmgate and Tk35 from Kuril on BRTC buses. The fares are set at Tk120 and Tk90 for each individual from Narayanganj and Narsingdi respectively.

Buses have been arranged from Farmgate to connect with metro rail and elevated expressway for the convenience of visitors this year.

There are several routes to get to the BBCFEC venue. Individuals can use any of those which are more convenient for them.

The routes include — Gulistan-Gausia (Bhulta)-Purbachal, Gulistan-Rupganj-Purbachal, Gulistan-Kuril-Purbachal, Farmgate-Kuril-Purbachal, and Kuril-Purbachal.

Gulistan-Gausia (Bhulta)-Purbachal route

Residents of Jatrabari, Gulistan, Sayedabad, Mugda, Kamalapur, Nazira Bazar, Sutrapur, Shyampur, Sadarghat, and adjacent areas can use this route to visit the trade fair.

Gulistan-Rupganj-Purbachal route

There are bus services (in front of Sergeant Ahad Police Box) between Gulistan and Demra’s Staff Quarter. An individual can reach the fair venue via Rupganj from Staff Quarter travelling by CNG-run vehicles.

Residents of Demra, Jatrabari, Gulistan, Sayedabad, Mugda, Kamalapur, Nazira Bazar, Sutrapur, Shyampur, Sadarghat, and adjacent areas can travel through this route to get to the fair venue.

Individuals have to get on buses plying between Sadarghat-Gulistan and Tong-Gazipur route via Badda to reach Kuril first and then BRTC buses to visit the far.

Why is trade fair being held in Purbachal?

The largest trade event of the country has been held annually since 1995.

Usually, the month-long fair begins on the first day of the new year. It, however, has been delayed this year for the 12th parliamentary election that took place on 7 January.

Since the beginning, the trade fair had been being organised in Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area which caused heavy traffic congestion in the city. The government shifted the venue later to the new and permanent venue in Purbachal to reduce the suffering of people.

Stalls and pavilions

The Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) have been organising trade fairs with the participation of local and foreign businesses.

There are 350 domestic and foreign stalls, including pavilions, in the 28th edition of the DITF.

Alongside the local ones, entrepreneurs from Singapore, Turkey, Hong Kong, Iran, India, and Pakistan, are showcasing their products in the fair this time.

EPB sources said goods worth Tk100 crore were sold at the fair last year, while purchase orders worth Tk300 crore were placed with exhibitors. There were 30 lakh to 35 lakh visitors then.

Organisers hoped that the volume of trade and the number of visitors would go up this year.

Entry fee and fair duration

The trade fair will run from 10am to 9pm daily and to 10pm at weekends. The entry fee is Tk50 for adults and Tk25 for children aged below 12 years. Freedom fighters and physically challenged people need no fee.