The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka.

The Digital ICT Fair-2009, an annual gala exposition of computer and its accessories, is gaining momentum every day with a large number of visitors showing their keen interest to the latest brands of this most modern scientific apparatus.

Nearly 50,000 people, mostly students, have so far visited the fair since its inauguration on November 7 by Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad, organizer sources said.

Multiplan Centre Shop Owners Association is arranging the nine-day fair at Multiplan Centre in the city's Elephant Road with the slogan 'Let ICT be a Tool for Changing Days'.

Besides the capital, people from outside the city are visiting the ICT show, the biggest in Bangladesh, said Tawfique Ehsan, convenor of the fair.

He said about 400 shops have been set up from the fourth floor to 10th floor on an area of about 100,000 sft, displaying different brands of computer and its accessories within the range of buyers' capacity.

Both brand and cloned PCs, laptops, LCD monitor, mouse, key- board, CD, speaker, DVD, CD ROM drive, calling card, internet card, mouse pad, pen drive, memory card, printer, scanner are available at cost-effective prices, Tawfique said.

Besides computer products, mobile phone and its accessories, MP-3, MP-4 and digital camera are being displayed at the show, he said.

Tawfique said people can buy a complete multimedia PC at a cost of Taka only 16,500 as the shops have given discounts on various computers and accessories.

Talking to BSS, the shop owners have expressed their satisfaction over the sale of computers and other products in larger numbers.

"Over the last four days, we sold computers and other accessories worth about Taka 50 lakh which is our beyond expectations," said Manoj Das, Branch In-Charge, System Palace Ltd.

He said the demand of laptop is more than that for desktop computers and most of the visitors, especially students, are opting for the lighter one. The price of each laptop ranges from Taka 24,000 to Taka 1,25,000, he added. Visitors as well as buyers are happy with the overall congenial atmosphere ensured with safety and security in and around the fair.

Anika Islam, a third-year student of Eden Girls College, who came to the fair with her three friends, said, "We are very happy to see a very beautiful environment here."

Nazrul Islam, a buying house official who came to buy a laptop at the fair, said, he would purchase a laptop after verifying its prices. He, however, made a comment that the prices of the laptop at the fair are somewhat cheaper compared to those in markets.

The organizers of the fair have taken strict security measures deploying about 50 smart volunteers and installing specialized metal detectors at each entrance of the fair venue.

Monwar Hossain Talukdar Shyamol, Convenor of the Media Sub- Committee, said the organizers have arranged painting competition for children, debate, SMS and quiz competitions for students, seminar, symposium, free online ticket booking and internet browsing to give an otherwise look to the fair.

The fair open for all from 10am to 8pm every day will continue till November 15. The entry fee has been fixed at Taka 10 but the school students have free access to the fair, the organizers said.