A three-day bridal festival began at the Bangladesh–China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Friday showcasing bridal outfits, ornaments and wedding services available on a commercial basis.

Inaugurating the fair, the minister for law, Moudud Ahmed, said festivals of this kind should be organised as marriage is the most auspicious moment in human life which lays the foundation of society.

‘Marriage is the most respected institution in society. Without marriage, which creates permanent relationship, society’s foundation will break down,’ he said.

The commerce minister adviser, Barkat Ullah Bulu, hoped that the festival would contribute to the national economy and the strengthening of culture and tradition.

The festival, Bridal and Jewellery Expo 2005, features 43 participants. Monthly fashion magazine Mirror has organised the event.

Sweetmeat shop Premium Sweets, clothing shops Dressy Dale, Brand and Fashions, Shoppers World, Destiny, flower designer Ikebana, Apan Jewellers, and Royal Diamond are among the participants.

Most participants have offered discounts on their products and services in the festival.

‘We offer up to 2 per cent discount on expensive watches and up to 10 per cent on less expensive watches,’ said Farooq Hossain of the Saco Watch Company, which has put Omega wristwatches, selling between Tk 65,000 and Tk 2,40,000 — on display.

F Trends has put on display various environmentally-friendly fashion accessories including nail polish, lip-gel, tattoos and household kits such as air cleaner, mosquito preventive wrist belt, with the slogan ‘environmental innovation for better living.’

‘None of our products have any chemicals,’ said the managing director of the company.

Similar discounts have been offered by Arabian’s Jewellery which has displayed a variety of gold-plated ornaments with prices ranging between Tk 120 and Tk 48,500.

Car rental Hertz is offering 15 per cent discount on Mercedes rental for a wedding on its regular charge of Tk 18,000.

A number of beauty parlours have also been offering discounts. Juthi Haq of La Femme Beauty Salon said visitors can have free make-up on Friday and Saturday.