The month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) 2016 will kick off today with hopes of a strong turnout, riding on the prevailing politi-cally-stable situation.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will open the fair at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka.

Some 22 countries have confirmed their participation in the fair being organised by the Export Promotion Bureau.

The country will fetch more export orders this year for a stable political environment, said Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at a press briefing on the fair premises yesterday.

The fair garnered orders worth Tk 85 crore in 2015 and Tk 80 crore in 2014, down from Tk 157 crore in 2013. This downfall in orders was attributed to political turmoil at the time.

Organisers expect an average of 1 lakh people to visit the fair every day, which will remain open from 10am to 10pm daily. The entry fee has been set at Tk 30 for adults and Tk 20 for children. There will be 553 stalls and pavilions at the fair this time, 56 of which have been allotted to foreign countries.

Machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty products, electronics, jute items, leather and sports goods, sanitary products, toys, ceramics, fabrics, processed food, furniture and handicrafts will be among the products to be showcased at the fair.

Organisers said the government has taken additional security measures, including setting up 11 close circuit cameras in and around the fair area to ensure security.

The commerce minister said the DITF, which is being organised at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar for over two decades, will be shifted permanently to Purbachal area in 2018.

Hedayet Ullah Al Mamun, senior secretary of the commerce ministry, Subhashish Bose, vice chairman of EPB, and Abdul Matlub Ahmad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, also spoke.