Home ›› 20 Oct 2021 ›› Nation

Pandemic boon

Youth shine in e-commerce

Rafiqul Islam . Khagrachhari
20 Oct 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 20 Oct 2021 01:41:06
Youth shine in e-commerce
An entrepreneur of Buy and Sell Khagrachhari group– Rafiqul Islam

Hundreds of youths in Khagrachhari are venturing into new avenues through e-commerce, bringing prosperity to their lives through a Facebook-based platform called “Buy and Sell Khagrachhari.”

While most people remained at home due to Covid-19 restrictions in the last one and half years, youths of Khagrachhari opted for something innovative by launching an e-commerce business.

Hasanul Karim, admin and founder of the group, told The Business Post that he always wanted to create a platform for the youths of Khagrachhari as they have a limited grip on e-commerce and other employment opportunities.

“I opened a Facebook group and named it “Buy and Sell Khagrachhari,” then I asked my friends and neighbours to sell their products through this group,” Karim said.

In a few days, they started selling their homemade products through the group, and now it has more than 20,000 members who regularly sell and buy their custom-made products online, he said.

“Most of these sellers are women, and some of them earned more than Tk 1,00,000 through this group. Consumers also appreciate the idea, and prefer to buy from these amateur sellers for their innovative way of presentation, customizable and variable products and cash-on-delivery system, Karim further said.

Tamanna Akter, one of the top-rated sellers of the group, told The Business Post that she sells different varieties of homemade cakes and yoghurt through this group and earns a hefty profit.

“I make these products as per consumers’ preference and deliver them to their homes so that they can enjoy these items in the comfort of their homes. I get good reviews for my products, and I am happy with my business,” she said.

Taharima Sultana Shakila, another seller in the group, said she sells biryani and desserts through the group.

“I cook and post pictures of the items in the group. I am getting a good response, and the number of orders is increasing day by day. I am thankful to my customers and the group,” said Shakila.

Jannatul Firdaus, who sells pickles through the group, said, “I opted for the business while sitting idle amid the pandemic. I have sold products worth Tk 1,00,000 till now through this group.”

Shafiqul Islam, who sells seasonal fruit throughout the country, said he received a good response from buyers of the group. “Not only am I growing my business, but people from all over the country are tasting fruits grown in the hills through this initiative.”

Not only them, but other sellers, namely Jewel Debnath, Rojina Akhter, Juthi Nath and Shamima Akhter, are also utilising the platform to grow their businesses.

The founder of the group, Hasanul Karim, told The Business Post that if he could manage cash assistance and interest-free loans, he could have helped the businesses more.

×