KHULNA, May 23: A permanent rawhide market in Khulna can save the businessmen from the prolonged business losses during Eid-ul-Azha in the last couple of years.
Rawhide traders expressed their dissatisfaction with this business, saying the previous government could not take any business-friendly steps to save the rawhide trade as well as the business.
During a visit on Friday at the business hub in the city's Sheikhpara area, rawhide traders in Khulna have demanded the establishment of a permanent market and preservation facility for rawhides ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, citing prolonged business losses and lack of infrastructure.
Every year, temporary rawhide markets are set up on roadsides during Eid-ul-Azha, with the city's Sheikhpara area emerging as the main trading hub.
However, traders said no permanent rawhide market has yet been established in Khulna.
Rawhide traders said that no new market for rawhide trading has developed in the last seven years.
Due to the absence of preservation facilities, traders face severe difficulties during Eid-ul-Azha every year.
The traders said the rawhide business has been suffering losses for the past several years, forcing many businessmen to quit the trade. Those still in business demanded a permanent market and ensured fair prices for raw hides.
They alleged that although the issue was repeatedly raised with the Khulna City Corporation (KCC), no effective initiative has yet been taken.
Babar Ali, a raw hide trader of Sheikhpara, said around 35 traders once conducted business in about 10 shops in the area. But most shop owners later became unwilling to rent premises for raw hide businesses, forcing traders to shut down operations gradually.
He said many traders also suffered losses after failing to receive payments from tannery companies on time.
"We need a permanent market near the trading area. If proper facilities are ensured and hides are purchased at government-fixed prices, both traders and sellers will benefit," he said.
General Secretary of Khulna Raw Hide Traders Association Kartik Ghosh said traders are facing serious problems due to the lack of preservation facilities.
"Sheikhpara, a temporary roadside makeshift rawhide market, locally known as Chamarpatti, was a well-known trading centre. Now that tradition has nearly disappeared. Many traders have already left the business," he said.
Contacted, Association President Abdus Salam Dhali said the rawhide business in Khulna is now on the verge of collapse.
He said that the prices of rawhides will be fixed by the government, mainly for preserved and processed hides.
"We could not collect and preserve expected rawhides due to inadequate labourers, inadequate tannery depot and fall of rawhides prices," he said.
He also demanded that the government supply free salt for preserving rawhides, under the supervision of district and upazila administrations.
"Earlier, around 60,000 to 70,000 hides were collected during Eid-ul-Azha, and nearly 60 to 70 traders were active in the sector. Now only a handful of traders remain," he said.
He alleged that traders collect money through loans and debts to buy hides, but tannery owners often fail to clear dues on time, leaving many businessmen financially ruined.
KCC Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju said the city corporation would consider the issues if traders formally place the demand for a permanent rawhide market.
"We will think about where such a market can be established," he added.
Last year, traders collected around 3.27 lakh rawhides from all 10 districts under the Khulna Division during the holy Eid-ul-Azha.
Traders collected rawhides mainly from madrasas, orphanages, Lillah boarding, mosques and individuals in the Khulna Division.
They began to preserve the rawhides in their respective tanneries, depots, and various roadside locations, with the permission of the local administration.
Madrasas, orphanages, and Lillah boarding schools in the 10 districts of Khulna division have collected and preserved a total of 3,26,794 pieces of cow, buffalo and goat hides from sacrificial animals.
Of the collected hides, 1, 19,112 were collected from cows and buffaloes, and 2, 07,682 were collected from goats, sheep and other sacrificial animals.
