‘Bomb scares’ spur 80pc drop in trade fair turnout

Friday, 30 April 2010 01:02 Myo Thein

Rangoon (Mizzima) - Turnout at the “Lifestyle and IT 2010” exhibition, which started on Wednesday at the Tatmadaw (Armed Forces) Hall in Rangoon, has seen an 80 per cent drop in visitor numbers compared with other trade fairs held this year, organisers say.
About 10,000 visitors registered on the first day of this four-day show. Previous fairs this year saw 50,000 participants daily, a staff member of the organiser, Milky Way International, said. The show was opened by Rangoon Command chief Major General Win Myint and Lieutenant General Myint Swe from the Ministry of Defence.

“We arranged detailed security measures for this exhibition. I think the people are scared after recent bomb blasts. Even on the opening day, only few visitors came,” the Milky Way staff member said. lifestyle-it2010exhibition1s

There are more than 100 exhibitions by more than 50 companies, displaying computer goods, electrical appliances, furniture, clothes, foodstuffs and general merchandise. Products are available for sale.

Due to the low visitor turnout, a number of company representatives said the show would be unprofitable and that they would probably not cover costs.

“I think the bomb threat has driven people away from crowded places. Another possible factor is the high daytime temperature, which forces people to stay at home”, a marketing manager with a prominent computer exhibitor said.

Most visitors are interested only in product promotions, which are “half-entertainment” by models and dance troupes, the manager said.

Only a few DVD players, televisions, electronic products, cosmetic items and low-priced household goods were sold on opening day, another exhibitor said.

A woman selling food in front of the exhibition hall said: “I hired this space for my restaurant at the price of 250,000 Kyats (US$250) for the four days. I earned only about 30,000 [by end of trading] … Visitors come in dribs and drabs only.

“At this rate, I’m going to lose a lot in my business,” she said.