B'baria shoemakers demand easy access to loan
Monday, 14 December 2009
Our Correspondent
BRAHMANBARIA, Dec 13: The owners of the footwear industries in the district have urged the government and private sectors for providing them loan facilities.
According to the sources, footwear industry, an age-old trade of the district are facing enormous crisis due to lack of loan facilities.
During the British colonial period, the footwear industries were first launched in Brahmanbaria and at Bhairab, both situated on the river Meghna.
Since then, the footwear industries have been thriving in the two districts, involving local entrepreneurs, workers, craftsmen and artisans.
Presently, about 200 shoe factories are operating in Brahmanbaria municipality area and six unions of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila.
Thousands of people are earning their livelihood from this trade.
The footwear industry in Brahmanbaria has achieved reputation in making various types of quality leather products such as shoes, sandals, slippers, flat and high heels, baby shoes, bags, belts, leather jackets etc. that are sold across the country.
These products are delivered to capital Dhaka and as well as Chittagong, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Feni, Noakhali, Chittagong, Chandpur, Comilla, Hobiganj, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj districts.
However, the local entrepreneurs have failed to expand the market of their products properly due to lack of adequate working capital, necessary government patronage and marketing facilities, sources added.
Owner of a local footwear factory said they can survive if the government and non-government organisations (NGOs) provide them with sufficient loans on flexible terms, and help them procure required raw materials to make footwear products.
BRAHMANBARIA, Dec 13: The owners of the footwear industries in the district have urged the government and private sectors for providing them loan facilities.
According to the sources, footwear industry, an age-old trade of the district are facing enormous crisis due to lack of loan facilities.
During the British colonial period, the footwear industries were first launched in Brahmanbaria and at Bhairab, both situated on the river Meghna.
Since then, the footwear industries have been thriving in the two districts, involving local entrepreneurs, workers, craftsmen and artisans.
Presently, about 200 shoe factories are operating in Brahmanbaria municipality area and six unions of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila.
Thousands of people are earning their livelihood from this trade.
The footwear industry in Brahmanbaria has achieved reputation in making various types of quality leather products such as shoes, sandals, slippers, flat and high heels, baby shoes, bags, belts, leather jackets etc. that are sold across the country.
These products are delivered to capital Dhaka and as well as Chittagong, Narayanganj, Mymensingh, Manikganj, Narsingdi, Feni, Noakhali, Chittagong, Chandpur, Comilla, Hobiganj, Moulvibazar and Sunamganj districts.
However, the local entrepreneurs have failed to expand the market of their products properly due to lack of adequate working capital, necessary government patronage and marketing facilities, sources added.
Owner of a local footwear factory said they can survive if the government and non-government organisations (NGOs) provide them with sufficient loans on flexible terms, and help them procure required raw materials to make footwear products.