Dhaka International Trade Fair Opens on 1 January

Bangladesh will welcome the New Year with one of its most prominent annual celebrations of commerce, culture and innovation, as the 30th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2026 opens on 1 January at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh–China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal. The month-long event will be formally inaugurated at 10:00 am by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, marking a landmark edition of a fair that has played a pivotal role in promoting domestic products and international trade for nearly three decades.

Details of the fair’s extensive preparations were shared on Monday (29 December) at a press conference held at the venue. Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman highlighted the key features and organisational arrangements, alongside senior officials including Hasan Arif, Vice-Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, and Baby Rani Karmakar, Director General of the EPB.

A Fusion of Heritage, Remembrance and Trade

One of the most striking attractions this year is the specially curated “Bangladesh Square”, designed to blend commercial exhibition with national memory. The square will feature photographic displays commemorating the Language Movement of 1952, the Liberation War of 1971, and the martyrs and injured of the July 2024 mass uprising. Organisers say the initiative aims to remind visitors of the country’s historical journey while celebrating its economic progress.

In parallel, a dedicated “Export Enclave” has been established to showcase Bangladesh’s export strength. This zone will highlight the country’s achievements and future potential in sectors such as garments, jute, leather goods, light engineering and emerging industries, offering foreign and local buyers a comprehensive overview of Bangladesh’s export capacity.

Transport, Tickets and Opening Hours

To ensure smooth and affordable access, more than 200 BRTC shuttle buses will operate daily between the fairground and key locations across Dhaka and neighbouring districts. These services will run from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm, supplemented by discounted rides from ride-sharing platform Pathao.

Ticket prices have been kept affordable to encourage mass participation. Entry will cost BDT 50 for adults and BDT 25 for children under 12. Freedom fighters, persons with disabilities and individuals injured during the July movement will be granted free entry upon presentation of valid identification. An e-ticketing system will again be available to minimise queues and improve visitor convenience.

The fair will be open daily from 10:00 am to 9:50 pm, with extended hours until 10:00 pm on weekly holidays.

Products, Sustainability and Consumer Protection

Visitors can explore a vast range of products, including textiles, machinery, electronics, furniture, cosmetics, handicrafts, processed foods, fast food, home décor items and more. Notably, this year’s fair has been declared entirely polythene- and single-use plastic-free. Environmentally friendly shopping bags will be supplied through the Ministry of Jute and Textiles as part of a broader sustainability drive.

To ensure food safety and protect consumer rights, mobile courts will operate daily to monitor food quality and prevent adulteration throughout the fair.

Key Information at a Glance

First launched in 1995 by the Ministry of Commerce in collaboration with the Export Promotion Bureau, the Dhaka International Trade Fair has grown into a flagship national event. This year’s participation by 11 foreign companies from six countries, including India, Turkey and Singapore, further reinforces its status as a key platform for trade promotion, cultural exchange and public engagement at the start of every New Year.