Dismal sales frustrate Tangail sari traders
Traders pass idle times at the weekly Karatia market in Tangail due to a lack of buyers amid the pandemic. Star
Staff Correspondent, Tangail
Staff Correspondent, Tangail
The traditional weaving industry in Tangail district needs both public and private support in order to recover from the Covid-19 and flood-induced losses, according to local traders. Few buyers for the famous Tangail sari are turning up ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, said trader Mirza Shakil. This has left local sari weavers and traders frustrated with their unsold stocks, he added.
During a recent visit to sari markets in Sadar upazila and Kalihati upazila, it was seen that sales were less than 15 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Pandemic leaves Tangail’s sari industry in tatters
Sari weavers in Tangail are going through tough times for a drop in sales amidst the slowdown in economic activities for the coronavirus pandemic. PHOTO: MIRZA SHAKIL
Refaz Uddin, a traditional sari weaver based in Nagarpur upazila of Tangail, has been struggling to maintain his business for a few years now due to a fall in demand.
Uddin has continued operations at his factory, featuring nine handlooms and two power looms, by availing loans from both official and unofficial channels in hopes of better days to come.
His sufferings were compounded by the two-month general holiday starting March 26 last year declared by the government to shut down all economic activities in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19.