File Photo

By Mahmudur Rahman Nazid

DHAKA, Mar 21 (BSS) - Ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the wholesale and retail businesses in the old part of the city has gained momentum.

Traders are busy spending time in the wholesale markets of Bangla Bazar, Chawkbazar, Nawabpur, Sadarghat, Bangshal, Gulistan, Kaptanbazar, Shyamabazar and Islampur. 

Especially, Sharif Market in Sadarghat, Punjabi, East Bengal Super Market and Gulshan Ara City wholesale and Islampur, Hawkers Market and Ladies Park Hawkers Market are the main centers of the wholesale business. Retailers buy products at relatively low prices from there and supply it to different regions of the country. 

Due to the convenience of Sadarghat launch terminal, traders from different parts of the country come here for wholesale shopping.

Mohammad Selim, a retailer in Keraniganj, told BSS, "I have come to buy Punjabi for Eid. Good quality Punjabis are available at the Sharif market, so I buy every year from here."

Shah Alam, a seller of the East Bengal Super Market, said, "Sales are less than last year."

Kajal Khan, general secretary of the Ladies Park Hawkers Market, told BSS, "Sales are a bit better this time than last year. Since wholesales decrease at the end of Ramadan, we hope that the business will increase at the last moment."

In addition to the wholesale market, retail business has also grown in Lakshmibazar and surrounding areas of Old Dhaka. From morning to night, the crowd of shoppers on the shops and pavement is increasing. Customers have been seen buying various products including Punjabi, sarees, three-piece, shoes, pants, cosmetics.

Lakshmibazar's garment businessman Monir Hossain told BSS, "Sales are better this time than last year. Demand for Indian and Pakistani Punjabi is high as well as domestic fabrics."

There are also crowds in the footwear shops. Middle -class and lower -class buyers are buying clothing and accessory products from Bangla Bazar, Sadarghat and surrounding footwear shops.

Maksudul Haque, who came to shop with family, said, "The price is higher than last year, but Eid shopping must be done. So, I am looking for good things at low prices."

Lakshmibazar businessman Nasir Uddin told BSS, "Sales will increase further in the last part of Ramadan. If we have a good business at this time, the loss of the whole year can be recovered."