SIRAJGANJ, Nov 26: With the advent of winter, the blanket market at Kazipur Upazila of the district is also getting momentum. Spare cloths collected from garments factories are used to make high quality blankets here.
Wholesalers from different areas come here to buy the blankets during this time every year. This year also the local blanket makers are hoping to earn profit from the sale of the items.
According to field sources, the blankets are made in Shimuldair, Kunkunia, Dhekuria, Beltoil, Maijhbari and other villages of Kazipur Upazila using the spare cloths which are collected from Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and other districts.
Though the industry here started around two decades ago through making blankets, but now different clothe items for children are also being made. As a result, the industry is expanding day by day.
Around 12,000 men and women are directly or indirectly involved in this industry. Depending on this, many of them have become established. As the price of the blanket is comparatively low, it has much demand. So, a progressing industry has developed here depending on the blanket making.
Everyday wholesalers from the capital city Dhaka and other areas come here to buy the blankets who take the product to different areas for sale. Per piece blanket here is being sold at Tk 100 to 2,000 as per quality while each piece of the children's clothes is being sold at Tk 50 and more.
During this season, the daily sale here reaches about Tk 50 lakh. As a result, the local traders have demanded to ensure required facilities so that the business may expand further. If an industrial hub can be formed here, it would help to ensure more employment opportunity for the local people.
Md Osman of Kunkunia Village said, "Due to the expansion of the blanket industry here, many families have achieved solvency. But despite having numerous possibilities, the business is not expanding further. We have to collect the raw materials from Dhaka and other areas but due to lack of fund, we sometimes cannot collect it. We have to loan from the moneylenders at high interest, but if we would get bank loan, our business would expand further."
Md Anwar Hossen and Kabir Hossen of Shimuldair Village said, "Earlier we wasted much time but after taking training on making blankets, we are now earning about Tk 800 daily which has brought solvency to our families."
Kashem Ali of Kunkunia Village said, "We have been running the business for the last 22 years. At first, we had to do much toil when we started the business with small number of labourers. The wholesalers used to take blankets from us on credit and pay the money after one year. We started the business taking risk. Though we had not got much support at first, we stuck to the venture. But as days passed, we achieved others' confidence."
He further said, "Now around 11,000 families are involved in this business. Every day, hundreds of wholesalers come here to buy the blankets. Though our sale has increased but the market has not expanded. There is no accommodation for the wholesalers coming from other areas. As there is no bank, we have to exchange money amid risk. So, the business is not expanding."
Kazipur Upazila Chairman Md Mozammel Haque Sarker Bokul said, "The local businessmen have started the venture with their personal initiative amid risk. But the business has ensured employment opportunity for many people here. Now, government patronisation is necessary. If bank and accommodation facilities could be ensured, the industry would expand further."
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Muhammad Kamrul Hasan said, "The blanket industry at Kazipur Upazila has developed with the personal initiative of the local traders. As part of different facilities, the online banking system has been introduced here. To ensure proper communication, the local roads have been improved."
He further said the government will extend help to this industry for its survival.
President of Sirajganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry Golam Abu Yusuf Surja said, "Though the industry seems small, it has expanded over the last several years. Around 10,000 families are involved with this industry. Now, government initiative is necessary to expand the industry further."
He, however, urged the local traders to approach further in this business as it has much potentiality.
