RAJSHAHI, Jan 17, 2023 (BSS)-Visitors throng the 'Rajshahi Divisional SME Products Fair-2023’ at the Green Plaza of Rajshahi City Corporation for the last couple of days.

The week-long fair began at the venue on January 12 last and will end tomorrow (Wednesday).

SME Foundation of the Ministry of Industries is hosting the fair in association with the Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner office, BSCIC, Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and National Association of Small Industries of Bangladesh (NASIB).

In the fair, a spectrum of locally produced SME goods including leather products, jute products, handicrafts, processed agricultural products, electrical and electronic goods, clothes, design and fashion wears and other products are being exhibited in around 60 stalls.

Majority of visitors crowded the stalls displaying home appliances, boutiques, leather goods, jute goods, handcrafts and food items while traders brought diversification on their products and were satisfied with the rising trend of visitors coming from different parts of the city and its adjacent areas.

Most of the traders were offering discounts at rates between 5 per cent and 30 per cent on their products.

Besides, traditional bronze products, hand-made ornaments, and terracotta also drew the attention of a group of visitors.

Ali Ahmed, a visitor from Rani Bazar area, said the environment of the fair was impressive, but prices of the products were bit higher than the regular market prices.

Anjuman Ara Parveen, owner of Bristy Fashion and a jute goods producer, said, ‘The prices of the raw jute and other materials have increased around 20 per cent over the years.’

‘Managing a balance between profit and production costs is really challenging for us,’ she said.

Nobab Ali, owner of New Leather said, ‘We displayed shows, apparels, different types of bags and many other items.’

‘We offer the customers both hand-made and machine polished products and per day average turnover in the fare is around Tk 50,000,’ he said.

The fair offered a diverse range of stalls showcasing jute products, leather goods, clothing, design and fashion wear, handicrafts, agro-processed products, herbal products, plastics, electronics, light engineering products, and technology products.

SME Foundation Deputy General Manager Raquib Uddin Khan told BSS that the fair offered a diverse range of stalls showcasing jute products, leather goods, clothing, design and fashion wear, handicrafts, agro-processed products, herbal products, plastics, electronics, light engineering products, and technology products.

Assistant High Commission of India in Rajshahi Monoj Kumar visited the fair and exchanged views with the entrepreneurs on Monday afternoon.