Handloom industry
Handloom industry at Ishwardi in Pabna is on the verge of extinction due to handloom owners' economic crisis, shortage of capital and , above all, price hike of raw materials etc.
Three years ago, about 750 people were involved in this business and about 350 sets of handloom were running but now about 200 people are in this business with only 100 sets of handloom. Then a piece of sari was sold at Tk 1700-1800, now the same sari is sold at Tk 700-800, said Nazrul Islam, secretary to the Ishwardi Benarashi Cooperative. Sonu, a handloom owner, who had shut down his two sets of handloom, said, I bought thread for Tk.110 a pound three years ago, now a pound of thread is sold at Tk 155.
They said if the government gives them financial assistance namely, interest-free loan, they can try to reorganise the business.
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