Bangladesh Participates at the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair

Bangladesh Embassy in Athens is participating at the 84th Thessaloniki International Fair 2019 being held in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, which is also the second largest city after capital Athens. This year Bangladesh’s theme is “Bangladesh, a dream destination for Trade & Investment”. In the evening of 7 September, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis inaugurated the Fair. This year India is the “Honour Country” having an opportunity to showcase its products and services at the Fair. Thessaloniki international Fair is the biggest international Trade Fair in Greece and in the entire Balkan region which became an annual hub for consumers, manufacturers, investors, traders, retailers of this region and attracting business communities from across the globe because of its centrality in the greater region. Last year it received a staggering 2,84,000 visitors and this year’s Fair is expected to draw more than 3,00,000 visitors.Bangladesh Embassy has been participating in the Fair for the last three years to take advantage of the huge presence of businessmen and investors to draw their attention of the trade and investment potentials of Bangladesh in line with the government’s policy of economic diplomacy. The Bangladesh stall is functioning as a promotional and information booth with the aim to enhance trade and investment with Greece and its neighbouring countries. This year for the first time Bangladeshi business community representing the jute sector is participating in the fair displaying jute and jute goods for the consumers and traders of Greece and the greater Balkan region. Three traders from Bangladesh are participating in the fair and they have already started attracting a wide range of visitors including consumers, traders and retailers. Greece and surrounding Mediterranean region import a large amount of jute goods mainly gunny sacks and eco-friendly items every year and Bangladesh jute traders are aiming to increase contacts and interactions with them using the TIF platform. Bangladesh Embassy and the participating businessmen from Bangladesh are utilizing the Fair to make contacts with the potential businessmen and investors. A number of business to business meetings have also been scheduled. The fair will continue up to 15 September.