Many brought their children along. One of them, Zaheer Sikdar Ekal, had come to the fair from Brahmanbaria with his 3-year-old son Rimon and wife Reena. During the hours-long journey, they were looking for new products after buying winter clothes, clothes, bed sheets and toys.
Zaheer said, “It is better for us now that the fair is being organized in Purbachal. We will not have to go to Agargaon, battling traffic jams.” A permanent exhibition centre, with a parking lot, toilets and rest areas.
Consumers are now more interested in winter clothing. Stalls selling warm clothing such as blazers, jackets and cashmere shawls were packed.
Twenty-six entrepreneurs have brought clothes to the pavilion of Joyita, the government’s platform for women entrepreneurs.
One of them, Naseema Akhtar from Rajshahi, has been attending the fair for many years and has never seen such a huge crowd in the first week.
He said that sales are also getting better.