The Foreign Office Spouses’ Association (FOSA) hosted a day-long International Charity Bazaar in Dhaka today (7 December) to raise funds for humanitarian causes.
The event, held at the Foreign Service Academy on Bailey Road, was inaugurated at 10am and remained open until 8pm.
Justice Zinat Ara, chairman of the Bangladesh Law Commission, attended the inauguration as the chief guest, with Foreign Secretary M Jasim Uddin as the special guest.
Jahanara Siddiqui, Fosa’s chief patron, and Shayla Parveen, the organisation’s president, also delivered speeches at the event.
Justice Jinat Ara highlighted FOSA’s efforts to foster international friendship and cultural exchange through welfare-oriented initiatives.
“I am delighted to see the participation of local women entrepreneurs alongside 16 foreign missions and one international organisation in today’s fair. This joint effort supports charitable initiatives,” she said.
Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin expressed gratitude to attendees, including international dignitaries, for their participation.
Following the inauguration, Foreign Affairs Adviser M Touhid Hossain visited the bazaar and toured various stalls.
The bazaar featured stalls from Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Pakistan, Russia, Bhutan, Palestine, Japan, and South Korea.
Over 25 Bangladeshi boutiques participated, showcasing traditional products such as Jamdani sarees, jute items, and home décor.
Products sourced through Bangladeshi missions abroad were also available for purchase. International stalls featured a diverse range of items.
A representative from a Turkish stall noted that traditional food items such as dolma, baklava, and tulumba desserts were sold at prices ranging from Tk50 to Tk100.
Other offerings included Indian handloom textiles and women’s clothing from Pakistani stalls.
The fair, part of FOSA’s social and welfare initiatives, aims to assist vulnerable communities with the funds raised through the event.
Ambassadors from various countries, including China, Thailand, South Korea, Pakistan, Japan, and Nepal, attended to show their support.
