Traders of New Market, Chandni Chowk and Gauchia Super Market have also decided not to open their shops before Eid. The traders of Chandrima Super Market have not yet announced their final decision but they are also going to decide not to open the shop.
Despite the lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the government has given permission to open shopping malls and shops every day before Eid from May 10, subject to conditions, until 4 pm every day.
However, four days ago, Bashundhara City and Jamuna Future Park, the two largest companies in the country, announced their decision to close the shopping mall. In contrast, Arang has decided to open 16 sales outlets.
Meanwhile, the shop owners' association demanded to open the shop before Eid, but the traders fell into indecision after the government gave them a chance.
He made the final decision to close the shop after discussions with the owners' association of several shops in the New Market area on Friday.
Aminul Islam Shahin, president of the New Market Businessmen's Association, told bdnews24.com, "The shopkeepers wanted to launch their own bread, albeit on a small scale." But now they are not daring as the infection is increasing day by day. That is why we have decided not to open the shops before Eid.
"There is no way to cover the expenses of the employees and their families without opening a shop. Again, considering my own safety, the safety of the buyer and the security of the country as a whole, I do not see any opportunity to open a shop in this situation. ”Nizam Uddin, president of Chandni Chowk Businessmen's Association, said, "We have not yet decided to open a shop. If the buyer comes when the store opens, maybe some of the recent losses can be recovered. But in this situation, the customer will come or why? We don't see any possibility. ”
The shopping malls in the New Market area handle a large portion of shoppers shopping for Eid in Dhaka.
Manzur Ahmed Monju, president of Chandrima Super Market Businessmen's Association, told bdnews24.com: "There is no chance to keep the shop open in this situation. Even then, if someone wanted to open a shop at the risk of their lives, we were in favor of giving them that approval. But the traders of New Market, Gauchia and Chandni Chowk have decided to close their shops. He also requested that we do not announce the opening. So we are taking time till tomorrow. ”
Helal Uddin, president of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, said, “In fact, it is not possible for everyone to buy and sell in this situation. However, some small shops will remain open in the neighborhood. ”
Traders want cooperation
The small traders have requested the government to provide loans to them to survive the crisis.
Shahin, president of the New Market Businessmen's Association, said: "Small shop owners also need some cash to survive in this situation and pay their employees.
"Unlike other sectors, we do not want any incentives. The government can give a loan of three to 15 lakh rupees depending on the size of the business. In the current situation, the kind of loans that have been arranged for other sectors are enough for us. ”
Shahin thinks that the traders will be able to repay the loan between January and December 2021 if they get this loan.
Helal Uddin, president of the shop owners' association, said there had been no buying and selling in the shops and stores for about two months. Small entrepreneurs are also victims of the lockdown situation. In this situation, there is no alternative to government loans.
"It simply came to our notice then. We also need to consider how long this crisis can last. "
"We have to take a decision after seeing how many shops are opened after May 10," Helal said.
Citing a survey by the Bureau of Statistics, the shop owners' association said there are about 58 lakh small shops across the country, including about 3 million shops. These companies have about one crore 20 lakh employees.
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