Dhaka int'l trade fair in January

The 15th Dhaka International Trade Fair will begin in the city on January 1 with the participation of 10 foreign countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to open the month-long fair.
Most of the preparatory works completed to hold the fair successfully, according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
DITF Member Secretary Sayed Bealal Hossain told the news agency that they have already received approval from the Housing and Public Works Department to use the ground for the fair, while the Architecture Department made a layout of stalls.
The DITF will have five premier pavilions, four premier mini pavilions, 35 premier stalls, 61 pavilions, 40 mini pavilions and 303 stalls. All of these have already been allotted to the applicants.
Open tender was sought for three categories -- premier pavilion, premier mini pavilion and premier stall -- where the highest bidders were awarded.
The participating foreign countries are Pakistan, India, China, Iran, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, USA and Turkey.
Some 28 pavilions, mini pavilions and stalls were allotted for the foreign participants of which Pakistan got 14, India 3, South Korea, Thailand and USA two each, while China, Iran, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Turkey one each.
To supervise and co-ordinate the preparatory works, a steering committee of the DITF was formed headed by the commerce secretary.
Fifteen other sub-committees were also formed.