President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday issued separate messages on the occasion of month-long 27th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF-2023) that begins from January 1, 2023 at the new site of Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal in the capital, reports BSS.
In his message, President Abdul Hamid extended his sincere greetings and congratulations to all participants, including local and international companies, exporters and importers, and organizers.
He said a conducive and business friendly environment is prevailing in Bangladesh due to liberal trade policy and various supports provided by the government in line with the aim to build the 'Golden Bengal'- dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The President said a specific action plan has been taken to transform Bangladesh into a developed country by 2041 following the successful transition from a least developed country to a middle income country.
He said Bangladesh has now emerged as an attractive destination for the foreign entrepreneurs, investors and importers. Moreover, the implementation of several important mega projects including the Padma Bridge and increase in power generation has given momentum to the economy, which is playing a supporting role in attracting foreign investment and increasing export earnings, the President added.
Abdul Hamid said DITF has been recognized as a popular annual event for its varieties of collection, diversity of products and participation of large number of entrepreneurs from home and abroad.
He hoped that the month-long fair would play an important role in building effective partnership between domestic and foreign producers, buyers-sellers, exporters-importers and investors.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, said, "I am happy to know that the month-long 27th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2023 begins on January 1, 2023 at the new site of Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal in Dhaka."
She said the present Awami League government has been working to build a hunger-and poverty-free Golden Bangladesh as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Graduation of Bangladesh into a developing country is one of the remarkable achievements in the Mujib Year, she added.
She said Bangladesh has now become an attractive destination for domestic and foreign investors due its liberal investment policies.
The implementation of mega projects like the Padma Bridge, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman tunnel, Rooppur nuclear power plant, Matarbari deep sea port, Metro rail etc will play a significant role in increasing foreign investment and export earning, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh having 165 million population is becoming a significant consumer market with its burgeoning middle class. The domestic consumption will further increase as Bangladesh is aspired to become a upper middle-income country by 2031 and developed and prosperous country by 2041, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh not only imports goods but of late, also exports quality products abroad. "Time has ripened to brand Bangladeshi products abroad. International trade fair can play an important role in promoting domestic products to the foreign buyers and informing the local entrepreneurs about the foreign products," the Premier added.
She believed that the 27th DITF-2023 will contribute in trade expansion, product diversification, attracting foreign investment and branding Bangladesh.
Both the President and the Prime Minister wished the trade fair a grand success.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
