B’baria footwear industry gets back life after 2 years
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
June 29, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2022
B’baria footwear industry gets back life after 2 years

Bangladesh

Azizul Shonchay
19 April, 2022, 09:00 am
Last modified: 19 April, 2022, 02:17 pm

Related News

  • Ashuganj river port grows in importance, needs infrastructural development
  • Natural calamities lead to a paddy shortage in B’baria market
  • Amour: Socks that speak of quality
  • Footwear market sees robust last moment sale
  • RHD fills canals for roads, causes waterlogging at B’baria Bscic factories

B’baria footwear industry gets back life after 2 years

In order to keep the factories running during the pandemic, footwear traders of the district incurred losses worth several crores of taka in the last two years

Azizul Shonchay
19 April, 2022, 09:00 am
Last modified: 19 April, 2022, 02:17 pm
Footwear factories in Brahmanbaria are running in full swing this year with hopes to turn around from the pandemic-inflicted losses, targeting at least Tk25 crore sales before Eid. Photo: TBS
Footwear factories in Brahmanbaria are running in full swing this year with hopes to turn around from the pandemic-inflicted losses, targeting at least Tk25 crore sales before Eid. Photo: TBS

After the pandemic fallout lasting two years, the footwear industry of Brahmanbaria is hoping to make a good business this Eid.

In order to keep the factories running during the pandemic, footwear traders of the district incurred losses worth several crores of taka in the last two years. 

Now that all pandemic restrictions are gone, business is running in full swing this year during the Ramadan and the traders are hoping to turn around from the pandemic-inflicted losses, targeting at least Tk25 crore sales before Eid.

Workers of the district's footwear factories are now working day and night to meet the market demand. Wholesalers from different parts of the country have been coming to the factories to buy shoes. 

However, industry insiders say, despite the boom in business, traders are still worried due to two reasons: the rising prices of chemicals used in shoe-making and frequent power outages. 

According to the traders, the footwear industry flourished in the district during the 1960s and has continued expanding since then. At present, about 3,000 workers are employed in around 100 shoe factories in the district. Shoes are made through machines in 19 of those factories. Shoes made in Brahmanbaria are marketed in different parts of the country.

Picture: TBS
Picture: TBS

During Ramadan, the big factories sell shoes worth from Tk80 lakh to Tk1 crore, while shoes to the tune of Tk8-10 lakh are sold by the small factories. Workers have to work day and night during the month of Ramadan as production doubles during this time to meet increased market demand.

The traders were forced to close the factories in 2020 due to the restrictions imposed by the government to contain the pandemic. As a result, they could not do business during the two Eids in that year.

The footwear business was in crisis in 2021 too as the situation remained almost the same. Shoes produced in the factories could not be marketed due to the lockdown. Besides, the increased prices of all required raw materials added insult to injury. As a result, production in every factory came down to less than half. Despite the fallout in business, traders had to bear all the related expenses, including the wages of the permanent workers, factory rent and electricity bills.

This year, after a significant improvement in the pandemic situation, the footwear industry of Brahmanbaria has become vibrant again ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. At present, 3,000-4,000 pairs of shoes are being made in the big factories every day while the small factories are producing 300 pairs on average. Production of shoes is going on in full swing from morning till midnight in all the factories.

Picture: TBS
Picture: TBS

Sohel Mia, a worker at Active Footwear in Brahmanbaria, has had to face an acute financial crisis for the last two years, living at home with his wife and children due to lack of work. At a certain time, he was forced to work as a day laborer. "However, I am now working day and night to meet the market demand for shoes ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. The workers do not have the time to rest for a moment. During this time of the year, I earn Tk10,000-15,000 in addition to my salary working extra hours," he said.

Another worker, Md Ujjal, said that since the beginning of Ramadan, 80-100 workers of their factory have been working day and night. "We wait for this time of year. I use the money earned from working extra hours to do my Eid shopping," he said.

Seven Star Footwear Manager Md Al-Amin said, "The factory was in a standstill for the last two years due to the pandemic. However, this year, the business situation is better as pandemic restrictions have been withdrawn. Hundreds of workers are working in our factory, making 4,000 pairs of shoes on average every day. Hopefully, we will be able to sell shoes worth Tk1 crore before the Eid."

Picture: TBS
Picture: TBS

Akter Hossain, director of Active Footwear, said, "In the last two years, the factory has incurred a loss of Tk8-10 lakh. However, the business situation is better now. The production of shoes in the factory has also increased. We have a Tk80 lakh-Tk1 crore sales target before Eid."

Brahmanbaria Footwear Traders Association General Secretary Md Hanif said, "Production has increased due to rising market demand. Our target is to market shoes worth Tk20-25 crore. But the increased chemical prices and power outage have become a new problem for traders."

"The price of a chemical which last year was Tk220 increased to Tk320 this year. We cannot increase the price of shoes, although the production cost has increased. Moreover, around 2-3 hours of power outage every day are disrupting production severely. It would be easier for us to make up for the pandemic losses if we did not have to face these problems," he added.

Top News / Districts / Industry

Brahmanbaria / footwear

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • A view of Gulshan area in Dhaka. Photo: Wikimedia
    Dhaka again ranks most expensive city for foreign employees in South Asia: Survey
  • Strengthen and decentralise IMED: CPD
    Strengthen and decentralise IMED: CPD
  • Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. Photo: Collected
    Identifying people negligent in Narail principal harassment: Home minister

MOST VIEWED

  • Padma Bridge from satellite. Photo: Screengrab
    Padma Bridge from satellite 
  • Photo: TBS
    Motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge 
  • Japan cancels financing Matarbari coal project phase 2
    Japan cancels financing Matarbari coal project phase 2
  • Photo: Collected
    2 motorcyclists killed in first accident on Padma Bridge
  • TikToker who removed nuts of Padma Bridge detained in Dhaka
    TikToker who removed nuts of Padma Bridge detained in Dhaka
  • Photo: PMO Press Wing
    'MD of a certain bank embezzled Tk6cr'

Related News

  • Ashuganj river port grows in importance, needs infrastructural development
  • Natural calamities lead to a paddy shortage in B’baria market
  • Amour: Socks that speak of quality
  • Footwear market sees robust last moment sale
  • RHD fills canals for roads, causes waterlogging at B’baria Bscic factories

Features

Mahathir accused financial titans of seeking to reverse decades of economic development that propelled tens of millions into the middle class. Photo: Bloomberg

George Soros, Mahathir and the legacy of 1997

3h | Panorama
 If Bangladesh produces and exports high-value-added MMF products right now, we can increase our total export by around 25% in value. Photo: Mumit M

Time ripe for Bangladesh RMG sector to focus more on man-made fibres

7h | Panorama
Human Library Bangladesh has organised so far nine sessions; eight have been held in different parts of Dhaka and one in Khulna. Photo: Courtesy

Human Library Bangladesh: Where the halls come alive with human voices

8h | Panorama
Abortion is a part of healthcare. Photo: Bloomberg

Abortion is healthcare and women’s rights are human rights

1d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Beautiful mural at Padma bridge

Beautiful mural at Padma bridge

42m | Videos
Ferry terminals wear deserted look, traders fear losses

Ferry terminals wear deserted look, traders fear losses

2h | Videos
Top 10: World’s longest bridges

Top 10: World’s longest bridges

2h | Videos
Archeological artefacts getting ruined locked in store room

Archeological artefacts getting ruined locked in store room

7h | Videos

Most Read

1
Padma Bridge from satellite. Photo: Screengrab
Bangladesh

Padma Bridge from satellite 

2
Photo: TBS
Bangladesh

Motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge 

3
Japan cancels financing Matarbari coal project phase 2
Bangladesh

Japan cancels financing Matarbari coal project phase 2

4
Photo: Courtesy
Corporates

Gree AC being used in all parts of Padma Bridge project

5
Photo: TBS
Infrastructure

Gains from Padma Bridge to cross $10b, hope experts

6
Desco wanted to make a bold statement with their new head office building, a physical entity that would be a corporate icon. Photo: Courtesy
Habitat

Desco head office: When commitment to community and environment inspires architecture

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab
BENEATH THE SURFACE
An aerial view of a MRT Line-6 construction site. Work on the first elevated metro rail of Bangladesh is going on in full swing. A total of 16 elevated stations will connect the capital’s Uttara to Motijheel via Mirpur, Farmgate and Dhaka University. The photo was taken from Farmgate area recently. Photo: Rajib Dhar

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net