Chittagong, Bangladesh (BBN)- The 19th month-long Chittagong International Trade Fair (CITF-2011) will begin in the country’s port city on start on Sunday, organizers said.

Commerce Minister Md Faruk Khan MP will be the chief guest while Thailand Ambassador in Bangladesh Tassanawadee Miancharoen and FBCCI President AK Azad are expected to attend the function as special guests, CCCI President Morshed Murad Ibrahim said at a press conference on Thursday.

A total of 36 pavilions, 263 stalls, 171 mega booths and 78 premier booths have been set up until date at the fair venue covering 400,000 square feet area.

They said some of the leading industrial enterprises at home and from Pakistan, Iran, India and Korea would showcase their products at the fair.

The CCCI has been organizing the fair since 1993 and it was given wide publicity by the Bangladesh foreign missions abroad, foreign missions in Bangladesh and different trade bodies and world famous trade based web sites.

The fair will remain open to the visitors from 10am to 10pm (local time) everyday.

BBN/SSR/AD=18Feb11-11:34 pm (BST)