Rangpur hide traders worried about cash to procure hide

Our Correspondent

RANGPUR, Sept 19: The hide traders of Rangpur district are worried that they would not have enough cash to procure hide during the forthcoming Eid-ul-Azha this year as they are yet to recover the arrears of last year from the tannery owners of Dhaka.

The hide traders alleged that tanneries in Dhaka have not paid yet the money owed to them from last year, amounting to around Tk 70 million. The rawhide traders said that the delay in payment might have an adverse impact on the hide business.

President of District Hide Traders Association Rangpur Abdul Latif Khan said if they fail to get dues before Eid some of them may have to close the business or some will have to borrow the required money for their business at high rates of interest.

Many hide traders have lost their eagerness in this business on account of uncertainty in recovering dues. Moreover, there is no bank loan facility for the hide traders which is also affecting the business, he also said.

Expressing apprehension he said if they do not get the due money before upcoming Eid-ul-Azha the traders will have to incur a huge loss and the syndicate of smugglers will take advantage of the circumstances. Consequently, huge quantity of hides might be smuggled into the neighbouring countries, he added.

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