A huge number of visitors thronged the 11th National Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Product Fair 2024 on Wednesday, the biggest event of locally-made products in Dhaka.
The visitors were found purchasing particularly leather and jute goods, foodstuffs and handicrafts.

According to the fairgoers, the quality and innovativeness of the products, especially the leather and jute goods, and handicrafts, attracted them to the expo being held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the week-long event on Sunday. The fair aims to promote, disseminate, sell, and expand the market of products made by small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

Talking to the Daily Sun, Engineer Towfiqur Rahman, a visitor, said he purchased a bag, shoes, belts, and foodstuffs at the expo at discounted prices.
“Many entrepreneurs have innovative ideas. They manufacture quality products but we rarely know,” he said, adding that such an event brings them under an umbrella.
“General people can purchase good and quality products at reasonable prices and in an easy way here.”

Towfiqur Rahman said he was visiting the fair with his wife, who is a deputy register of a university, and their daughter.
“There is a good place for car parks. The expo has been decorated excellently which encouraged visitors to come here.”
Another visitor at the expo Rabiya Khatun was saying he had bought a jute bag, and batik dress. She said, “I will purchase some more goods if I like them.”
Exhibitors said they were offering discounts of 5%-50% on their products based on quality and designs compared to regular prices.

They sought an extension of closing time of the fair up to 10pm from 8pm now so they can get some additional time to increase their sales.
“Many visitors are coming to the fair after their offices. Therefore, they don’t get enough time to choose and purchase products. Time needs to be enhanced,” Izma Brand Proprietor KM Soriatullah said.
He said that their stall offered different types of jute-made products including bags, tableware, wall mats, and tissue boxes.

“We are selling our products at reasonable prices here to attract visitors. Now we are getting good responses from buyers and expect more buyers in days to come," the young entrepreneur added.
Soriatullah mentioned that the government had announced jute products the “Product of The Year” as the natural fibre-based goods are getting popular across the globe.
Top Leather Entrepreneur Kaniz Fatema said she was receiving good response from buyers as they showcased both leather and non-leather items including footwears and bags.

Owner of Shabab Leather Maksuda Khatun said their leather-made prayer mats, tableware, belts, shoes, and bags attracted visitors because of their quality and innovative designs.
“We offer a 10%-30% discount on different products at the expo. Due to high inflation, people purchase less than they expect. We tried to attract them with leather items while production cost was soaring,” she said.

Owner of Shaptorshi, Monika Das said she was selling Nakshi Katha and Batik saree at Tk1,250-12,500 with 15% discounts and Sarangi saree at between Tk700-Tk2,650.
She, however, said that they were “not getting good responses on weekdays.” Monika expects to see a good response from the visitors on the remaining days of the expo.

Toma Kutir Shilpo owner Tanmoy Roy said they produced all types of cane-made products. These products are “environment-friendly and historical as well.”
“This is why visitors are attracted to our stall and purchase items of their choice.”
More than 350 SMEs are participating in the expo. Of this, about 60% are led by women entrepreneurs.
The fair is exhibiting products from various sectors, like readymade garments, jute, handicrafts, leather goods, processed foods, light engineering, IT services, jewellery, and furniture.