30th Dhaka International Trade Fair Begins Today at BCFE
The 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2026 is set to commence today, Saturday (3 January), at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) in Purbachal, Rupganj, Narayanganj, near the capital Dhaka.
Jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the fair will be formally inaugurated by Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus.
The event was originally scheduled to start on 1 January. However, due to the three-day state mourning declared following the death of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the inauguration date was rescheduled to 3 January.
In a message on the occasion, the Chief Adviser said the interim government remains firmly committed to safeguarding economic stability and achieving the desired growth. Special guests at the inauguration ceremony will include Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and other senior government officials.
This year, 11 foreign pavilions from India, Turkey, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and other countries are participating. A total of 324 stalls have been arranged for the display and sale of various products by entrepreneurs from home and abroad. To protect the environment, the use of polythene bags has been completely banned throughout the fair premises. Entry tickets have been priced at Tk 50 for adults and Tk 25 for children. Freedom fighters, persons with disabilities, and those injured in the July uprising will be allowed free entry upon showing their identity documents. For modernisation, e-ticketing and online ticket purchase facilities have also been introduced this year.
To facilitate visitors’ travel, more than 200 BRTC shuttle buses will operate regularly from Kuril Bishwaroad, Farmgate, Narayanganj, and Narsingdi. Additionally, Pathao service has been included for the first time at concessional rates. For foreign entrepreneurs and general visitors, an electronics and furniture zone, a senior citizens’ corner, two children’s parks, and an open cultural centre have been set up. A cafeteria with 500 seats and multiple restaurants have been arranged for food, where mobile courts will monitor food quality.
Over 900 police personnel, along with members of the army and Ansar, will be deployed to ensure security. The entire fairground is under CCTV camera coverage, with round-the-clock monitoring from four watch towers. A two-storey parking building with a capacity of 500 vehicles, along with extensive open spaces outside, has been prepared for parking.
Started in 1995, this fair is expected to play an important role in promoting domestic products and boosting exports, according to the organisers, EPB.
