‘Surviving in restaurant business is the key challenge now’

The restaurant business reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic’s shock needs the government’s policy and funding support to recoup losses, Bangladesh Restaurant Owners Association Secretary-General Imran Hassan told The Business Post’s Mohammad Nahian in an interview

Bangladesh enforced a nationwide lockdown from March 26, 2020, to prevent the spread of Covid-19, shutting down all non-essential services, including restaurants, and asking people to stay indoors. 

Although restrictions have been eased, restaurateurs say they are hardly making any profit.

What has been the pandemic’s impact? What are the challenges you are facing?

Around 30 lakh people work at 60,000 restaurants across the country. Moreover, about two crore people are involved in this sector directly and indirectly. We incurred a loss of approximately Tk 60,000 crore in the last two years. 

Health protocols amid the pandemic have caused people to lose interest in dining at restaurants. We have to pay our staff, rents and dues even though our profit margin is low.

Surviving is now the key challenge.

Why are you seeking recognition as an industry?

Restaurants are one of the main branches of the tourism sector, employing millions of people directly or indirectly. 

Besides, we have to follow additional rules and regulations compared to other businesses. This sector is already well developed and abides by government rules and regulations. That’s why we demand recognition as an industry.

Why should the sector be placed under one ministry?

We need 12 to 13 licenses and get permissions from 12 to 13 places. Placing us under a single ministry will end the hassle. The government should also introduce a monitoring system for this sector. 

Why is BROA demanding a policy on online food delivery services?

This is to protect the uniqueness of the restaurant business and prevent the messy condition of the online food delivery business. The government should formulate a guideline to supervise such delivery services.

Did you get any stimulus package?

We did not get any help from the government during the pandemic. We have been urging the government to grant us stimulus packages as we incurred massive losses.

What kind of assistance do you seek from the government?

We need low-interest long-term loans from the SME Foundation to overcome the pandemic-induced losses. We also seek assistance and cooperation from the government and recognition as an industry. It can provide us with financial aid and manage easy condition bank loans.

We also need a one-stop service from a single ministry, and the government should also arrange training for restaurant staff.