Coronavirus: Chattogram aluminum industry in dire state | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
January 31, 2023

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Book Review
    • Brands
    • Earth
    • Explorer
    • Fact Check
    • Family
    • Food
    • Game Reviews
    • Good Practices
    • Habitat
    • Humour
    • In Focus
    • Luxury
    • Mode
    • Panorama
    • Pursuit
    • Wealth
    • Wellbeing
    • Wheels
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Videos
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • COVID-19
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2023
Chattogram aluminum industry in dire state

Industry

Abu Sayem
07 April, 2020, 03:30 pm
Last modified: 07 April, 2020, 04:02 pm

Related News

  • Covid remains a public health emergency, says WHO
  • Holiday trips within China surge after lifting of Covid curbs
  • Ctg Water Transport Cell continues operation despite HC ban
  • India launches world’s 1st intranasal Covid vaccine
  • US CDC still looking at potential stroke risk from Pfizer bivalent Covid shot

Chattogram aluminum industry in dire state

The Aluminum Industry Owners Association claims Tk60 lakh losses per day

Abu Sayem
07 April, 2020, 03:30 pm
Last modified: 07 April, 2020, 04:02 pm
File Photo: A man working at an aluminum factory in Muradpur, Chattogram. Photo: Mohammad Minhaz Uddin
File Photo: A man working at an aluminum factory in Muradpur, Chattogram. Photo: Mohammad Minhaz Uddin

The global Covid-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the aluminum industry in Chattogram city's Muradpur area. The businesspeople of this sector are incurring losses of Tk60 lakh a day because of factory closures due to the general holidays for the novel coronavirus.

Moreover, many businesspeople will also be in crisis after paying wages to staff and workers despite factory closures. The export of aluminum products has ceased.

Entrepreneurs said on average 20 tonnes – or 20,000 kilograms – of household items made of aluminum are produced in the 80 production-oriented factories in the area every day. At present, about 5,000 people are employed by this industry.

The Aluminum Industry Owners Association was founded in 1989 with 33 members. Although 142 factories remained open in 2010, there are now only 80 production-oriented factories.

Ekramul Haque, general secretary of the Chattogram Aluminum Industry Owners Association, said, "We have closed our factories as per government orders. The condition of many entrepreneurs is very bad. As the production remains stopped and the owners have to pay wages, many members of the association will be in danger due to the capital crisis."

Products made of aluminum worth Tk1 crore, on average, are exported every month to Myanmar, the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, due to a lack of production, exports have also ceased, he added.

The association emphasised the need for long-term credit with simple interest rates for the sector to retain its businesses and employees.

Traders said the price of aluminum products per kilogram is Tk300 on average, while the total output of the industry is worth about Tk60 lakh a day. 

If the factories are closed till April 14, the total loss is estimated at Tk11.40 crore in 19 days – placing 5,000 workers in danger. However, there is uncertainty as the number of Covid-19 patients is increasing every day in the country, they added.

According to the entrepreneurs, there is a competition for aluminum products with stainless steel, melamine, ceramic, glass, or plastic products. Still, there is a demand for at least 20 types of aluminum products in the kitchen.

Mohammad Gias Uddin, a factory owner, said it was difficult to run the factory in Chattogram due to high production costs. Then there will be a capital crisis due to the extended factory closures and payment of workers' wages. It is difficult to run the factory even when there are not enough credit facilities.

As per the Factory Owners Association, it was decided that the factory's regular staff would receive their full salaries and workers working on a daily basis would get pay of Tk200 per day.

Khatiza Begum – who used to clean household items made of aluminum at the factory – said she used to earn between 250 and 300 per day. However, they now have no income due the factories' closure. She said, "If we get Tk200 per day as per the association's decision, our families will somehow get their daily meal."

Economy / Top News / Covid-19 in Bangladesh

Chattogram / Aluminum / industry / Coronavirus / COVID-19

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

  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo
    IMF approves Bangladesh's $4.5 billion loan proposal
  • Despite downturn 3 dozen listed firms plan Tk7,500cr investment
    Despite downturn 3 dozen listed firms plan Tk7,500cr investment
  • Mysterious resignation of SIBL chairman, addl MD
    Mysterious resignation of SIBL chairman, addl MD

MOST VIEWED

  • Sketch: TBS
    Industries need to be energy-efficient
  • It is high time we focus on the logistics sector
    It is high time we focus on the logistics sector
  • Toy makers seek dedicated zone, govt support
    Toy makers seek dedicated zone, govt support
  • Mechanisation vital for commercialising agriculture: Minister
    Mechanisation vital for commercialising agriculture: Minister
  • Manufacturers feel the pinch as consumers tighten belt
    Manufacturers feel the pinch as consumers tighten belt
  • Illustration: TBS
    Commerce ministry to continue advocacy for simplification of business registration process: Minister

Related News

  • Covid remains a public health emergency, says WHO
  • Holiday trips within China surge after lifting of Covid curbs
  • Ctg Water Transport Cell continues operation despite HC ban
  • India launches world’s 1st intranasal Covid vaccine
  • US CDC still looking at potential stroke risk from Pfizer bivalent Covid shot

Features

Photo: Courtesy

The Hawkers: Where minimalism meets motifs

19h | Brands
TBS illustration

Where do Shariah-compliant mutual funds stand in Bangladesh

17h | Panorama
Sketch: TBS

A subsidy war without winners

17h | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Oppo Reno 8T first look revealed!

18h | Brands

More Videos from TBS

two more factories of the country got platinum certificate.

two more factories of the country got platinum certificate.

9h | TBS Today
Iconic villains of Bollywood

Iconic villains of Bollywood

10h | TBS Entertainment
General knowledge "Gravity"

General knowledge "Gravity"

8h | Videos
Will tanks turn the tide for Ukraine?

Will tanks turn the tide for Ukraine?

9h | TBS World

Most Read

1
Picture: Collected
Bangladesh

US Embassy condemns recent incidents of visa fraud

2
Illustration: TBS
Banking

16 banks at risk of capital shortfall if top 3 borrowers default

3
Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!
Bangladesh

Bapex calls candidates for job test 9 years after advert!

4
Photo: Collected
Splash

Hansal Mehta responds as Twitter user calls him 'shameless' for making Faraaz

5
A frozen Beyond Burger plant-based patty. Photographer: AKIRA for Bloomberg Businessweek
Bloomberg Special

Fake meat was supposed to save the world. It became just another fad

6
Representational Image
Banking

Cash-strapped Islami, Al-Arafah and National turn to Sonali Bank for costly fund

EMAIL US
[email protected]
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2023
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

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

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - [email protected]

For advertisement- [email protected]