RAJSHAHI, May 31: With hardly a week left for holy festival Eid-ul-Fitr, the local silk shops and showrooms have gained momentum.
Passionate people use silk-wear during Eid festival. This region is famous for quality silk production.
Silk fabrics woven and designed by local artisans are on huge demand in the Eid market with the affluent people rushing to the city silk showrooms every day.
A large number of people, especially the adolescents, are humming towards the showrooms to collect their best choice with attraction of eye-catching colour and design of the silk wears.
Silk factories at Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries (BSCIC) area are operating round the clock.
Concerned sources said silk-wears worth about Tk 35 to 40 crore are likely to be sold during this Eid season.
Varieties of silk clothes, namely Bolakakar Chupi, Sui-Sutakatan, Kotisilk, Joyashri, Silk Katan, Water Katan, Jamdani Katan, Bor Katan, Dhupian, Jhorna Katan, sari, three piece, panjabi, pyjama, shirt, fatua and scarf are on display in every shop and showroom to attract the buyers.
The well-off buyers are also selecting and purchasing their best choice whatever the price is, while the middle and low-income groups are seen bargaining with sellers.
Some silk manufacturers like Sapura Silk, Usha Silk, Rajshahi Silk Fashion, Amena Silk and Mohananda Silk are doing their brisk business after taking advantages of the Eid market. They also arranged and assembled new designs and colours this season.
The rich people are going to Sapura Silk Industrial Area to buy silk products.
Sellers said the number of silk product buyers has increased as the Eid is knocking at the door.
Saidur Rahman, showroom in-charge of Sapura Silk, said katoar design sari on muslin is their greatest attraction for this Eid.
He also said different designs of saris are priced from Tk 3,800 to 1,45,000. Keeping in mind the customers' choices, varieties of sari, panjabi, three-piece and children's dresses were assembled at the showrooms.
Usha Silk has also brought new designed panjabi with stripe art on silk which is being sold at Tk 2,000 to 7,500 per piece.
Nur Alam Bulbul, showroom in-charge of Usha Silk, said their saris are being sold at Tk 1,250 to 45,500 and three-piece is priced at Tk 2,000 to 75,500.
Liakat Ali, president of Bangladesh Silk Industry Owners Association, laid emphasis on elevating the sector for saving huge hard-earned foreign currencies which are spent for import of silk yarn.
He said the issue of the consumers' demands should be given priority.
The glorious silk sector is now facing an embarrassing situation due to excessive price of foreign silk yarn and decline of local production, he added.
He said the sector needs initiatives to make skilled labourers, weavers and printers for the greater interest of the sector.
Liakat Ali put stress on proper use of modern technologies at the growers' level, which is very essential to attain cherished goals in this field.
He mentioned that increased domestic production of yarn can help revitalise the traditional silk sector.
