On the eve of holy Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the largest religious festivals for the Muslims, shopping in the silk shops and showrooms has gained momentum.
Varieties of silk clothes, namely— Bolaka karchupi, Sui-Suta katan, Koti silk, Joyashri, Silk Katan, Water Katan, Jamdani Katan, Borkatan, Dupiana, Jhornakatan, other types of shari, three-piece, orna, panjabi-pajama, shirt, fatua and scarf are on display in every shop and showroom to attract the buyers.
Fashionable people prefer silk clothes during the Eid festival in this region which is famous for quality silk production.
Some five silk manufacturers like Sapura Silk, Usha Silk, Rajshahi Silk Fashion, Amena Silk and Mohananda Silk are doing brisk business after taking advantage of the Eid market. They also arranged and assembled new designs and colours this season.
Silk fabrics, weaved and designed by local artisans, are in huge demand in the Eid markets of the city, and the affluent people are rushing to the city silk showrooms every day.
With the attraction of eye-catching colour and design of the silk wears, a large number of people irrespective of age and sex, especially the adolescents, are rushing towards the showrooms to collect their best choice.
As a result, employees of the silk factories are passing their busiest times both on days and at night. Silk factories in the BSCIC are also operating round the clock.
According to the sources concerned, silk clothes valued at around Tk 45-50 crore are likely to be sold during the current Eid season.
The well-off buyers are also selecting and purchasing their best choice regardless of the price, while the middle and low-income groups are seen bargaining with the sellers.
All the factories at BSCIC Estate are operating day and night and the labourers have been burning the midnight oil ahead of the Eid festival.
Sellers said the number of silk products buyer has increased as Eid is knocking at the door.
Saidur Rahman, the Showroom in charge of Sapura Silk, told BSS that katoar design shari on muslin is their greatest attraction for this Eid. Different designs of saris are priced from Taka 3,800 to Taka 1,45,000.
Usha Silk has also brought newly designed panjabi with stripe art on silk which is being sold at Taka 2,000 to Taka 7,500 per piece.
Nur Alam Bulbul, showroom in-charge of Usha Silk, said their sharies are being sold at Tk 1,250 to Tk 45,500 and the three pieces are priced at Tk 2,000 to Tk 75,500.
Bangladesh Silk Industry Owners Association President Liakat Ali emphasised elevating the sector for saving huge hard-earned foreign currencies which are spent on import of the silk yarn.
He said the issue of the consumers' demands should be given priority. "The glorious silk sector is now facing an embarrassing situation due to excessive price of foreign silk yarn and decline of local production," he added.
He said the sector needs initiatives to retain the skilled labourers, especially the rearers, weavers and printers in the profession in the greater interest of the sector.
Liakat Ali laid stress on the proper use of varieties of plants and modern technologies at the growers' level that is very essential to attain cherished goals in this field.
