Quilt makers doing brisk business in Rangpur

Our Correspondent RANGPUR, Nov 27: Quilt makers in the district have started their seasonal business in full swing as the winter has set in the northern region. Workers at different quilt shops across the district have been passing busy time stitching quilts, pillows and mattresses. In the district, there are about 350 quilt shops that employ at least 2500 people. Asfaq Ali, a quilt worker at Shapla Chattar Area said in winter season they earn more which helps them to run their family for 3 to 4 months. Mokbular Rahman, owner of Mokbul Quilt Shop, at Betpatti Area in Rangpur Town told the FE that they do brisk business every winter. But this year they have become worried about their business as the prices of materials for making quilt have gone up abnormally. Most quilt makers of Haripotti, Khamar, Station and Shapla chattar areas in the town told this correspondent that they eagerly wait for this time of the year as they are dependent on quilt business. They said, for household purpose people want good quality cotton while the hoteliers choose low quality cotton. Quilts are costly this year as the cotton price has gone up by Tk 40 to 50 per kilogram, said a quilt maker. Imported cotton for quilts is now being sold at local market at Tk 180 to 220 per kilogram which was Tk 140 to 160 last year. Local cotton is sold at Tk 80 to 90 a kg against of Tk 40 last year. Besides, prices of cloths for quilt covers also went up in the region. Traders said that cloths priced at Tk 20 to 25 a yard last year are now being sold at Tk 30 to 35. Price of per quilt ranges between Tk 1300 to Tk 1500 against its previous price of Tk 800 to Tk 900 last year.