Village shoemakers drive Rajshahi economy

RAJSHAHI, Sept 04 (BSS): Hundreds of people, both male and female, have become self-reliant through manufacturing shoes in a village of Rajshshi, contributing to the local economy.
In the village, having pitch carpeting road and situated nearly 30-km away from the Rajshahi city, the factories are seen making adequate finished products to meet the gradually mounting demands of shoes and other footwear items in the region.
The Kaluhati shoe village under Charghat upazila is famous for its footwear products among businessmen from different parts of the country. It has around 65 shoe factories employing around 7,500 male and female workers.
They supply shoes to most of the districts in the northern region. The factory owners are getting massive responses from all quarters which is a positive sign of furthermore expansion of the business.
Most of them are working relentlessly to recoup the losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly in its worst situation.
Apart from working in the factories, many women have already become small-scale entrepreneurs of manufacturing shoe-packets, bags, key-ring, purse and wallet.
Shoes and sandals manufactured in the village have earned fame throughout the country.
The families are taking advantage of establishing such types of factories with small investment with their family members successfully.
Sohel Rana is now a successful entrepreneur through the business. But his initial growth was not smooth. He had to face many adversities to achieve the present dignified status.
"I had started this business with Tk 20,000 in 2002 and my capital investment is around Tk 2.5 million at present," said Sohel Rana, owner of Konika Shoes Factory, a village shop.
He has been supplying finished goods to Aarong and some other posh shops in Dhaka at present.
Once, 15 people from the village used to sell shows on bicycles in Rajshahi city and adjacent areas. Over the years, the mode of the business has changed and shoes are now being manufactured in local factories enhancing the distribution chain.
At present, most of the families are solvent and self-reliant. Many families now live in brick-built houses with electricity facility.
Many small shoe factories flourished in the village with financial and technical assistance from the Small and Medium Enterprises Foundation (SMEF).
Sohel Rana said the village has around 65 shoe factories employing around 7,000 people and 50 per cent of them are female at present.
These small factories produce around 0.25 million pairs of sandals, for all including children and sell those in various districts every month.
Consumers' demand for attractive design and good quality products has gradually been incrasing amid growing population.
"My income has risen. Now I am earning between Tk 4,500 and Tk 5,500 per month on an average," said Morzina Begum, worker of Konika Shoes factory.
She said many housewives and unemployed youths in the village have changed their lot by making shoes and packets. The shoe manufacturers make a good business during Eid and other religious and social festivals.
Shoemaker Firoj Ahmed said each of the workers earns at least Tk 12,000 to 15,000 during the Eid and other religious festivals.
Abida Sultana, an owner of a packet and box factory, said her goods are sold in both wholesale and retail markets. She said, "We receive more orders in the Eid season."
"Additional 2,500 laborers are engaged in various works like designing, sewing, cutting, sole making, and painting," said Sultana.
"I am supplying necessary packets to the shoe factories," said Anwar Hossain, owner of Anwar Packet Store. He has started his business with an investment of Tk 5,000 and in 2013.
More than 65 women are working in his business and the amount of running capital stood at Tk 2.0 million at present, he added.
Shoe making has become a source of income for unemployed youths and many have become economically solvent through the business.
"We are working here to boost the capability and efficiency of the entrepreneurs for successful business promotion," said Hossain.