Self-help makes self-made

Tribal youths at work at Ekzada Sweater Factory in Khagrachhari.. PHOTO: STAR

The Ekzada Sweater Factory set up by six tribal youths has changed life of 42 youths including some women in Khagrachhari and raised new hopes among many in the area.

The six youths had joined hands and contributed Tk 5000 each. They took training on garments and knitwear production and set up the factory at in Milonpur in Khagrachhari hill town in 2002 under a cooperative society.

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Initially they earned around Tk 1500 a month. Now, 42 members of the society earn around Tk 3500 each per month.

They started the factory with two knitting machines. Now they have five knitting machines, two linking machines, one winding machine and one embroidery machine.

They collect raw materials from Chittagong and Dhaka and produce sweaters. The item, sold at between Tk 300 and Tk 500 per piece, has a good demand in the three hill districts and in Chittagong.

Besides traders, they have also got orders from primary schools and kindergartens for supply of sweaters for children.

It was a different atmosphere at the factory. All the youths were busy on machines as contracts have to be fulfilled in time.

"We can not meet the demand", Zibkanti Chakma, 35, President of Ekzada, told this correspondent during a recent visit to the factory.

Bidan Chakma, 26, Chief Technical Master, said they have a capital of around Tk 10. But more is needed to expand the factory to meet the growing demands.

Their target is to raise the production to 20,000 pieces a day, but that needs installation of more machines, which needs finance. "We do not worry for market", Bidhan said.

Its Advisor Monoranjan Tripura, 51, said the factory is housed at a house rented from the army in Khagrachari Army Zone.

Their main problem is funding but banks do not want to give them collateral-free loan. They are also not so much interested to borrow money from banks at high interest rates, he said.

Their success has encouraged many unemployed youths who want to take training from them and set up such small units. But their hopes are dashed when they learn about problems in arranging funds.

Monoranjan said a little attention by the government can be of great help to local unemployed youths. Setting up of such small units can change life of poor people in the hills, he said.