Local umbrella manufacturers, who dominate the rural markets, claimed that their business is being hampered due to the indiscriminate import of less durable but fancier umbrellas.
Urban people prefer the foreign umbrellas, in spite of the fact that they are less durable and more costly, as they are easier to carry, said Mohammad Alauddin, manager of Sharif Umbrellas, on Wednesday.
The imported umbrellas, that usually last for one rainy season only, are sold in the local market for more than Tk 200 each, while the more durable local umbrellas cost about Tk 160 each, said Alauddin.
Last year the price of imported Chinese umbrellas was nearly half of this year's price, whereas the price of the locally manufactured umbrellas has grown by only Tk 30 to Tk 40 each due to increase in the cost of materials, he added.
The government should stop allowing import of foreign umbrellas to promote the local brands which are strong enough to withstand windy weather in the monsoon, he added.
Umbrellas of three other local reputed brands — Alam, Alauddin and Sanowar — are also available at almost similar prices, he said.
Mesbahuddin Bablu, manufacturer of Boishakhi Umbrellas, said the money with which they imported 26,000 umbrellas from China would suffice to make only half the number of local umbrellas.
The demand for local umbrellas is decreasing every year, said Bablu, adding that he manufactures nearly 13,000 umbrellas every year, apart from importing them.
He said China has the technology which Bangladesh lacks, which is the main reason that these types of umbrella cannot be fabricated locally. Local manufacturers need the latest technology to compete with foreign brands.
Government employee Moqbul, who had used local Alam brand of umbrella for 11 years and lost it recently, came to New Market to buy another of the same brand as he had found it to be quite durable.
Housewife Rabeya, who came to New Market to buy 3 umbrellas for her school-going children, said she was looking for the Chinese 'Dove' brand which she had bought for Tk 120 last year.
Shopkeeper Shahjahan, who demanded Tk 200 for each umbrella, said that the price of foreign umbrellas varies, depending on the quality of the materials used.
The Indian Shankar brand costs more than Tk 600, he added.
Brightly coloured umbrellas for kids cost about Tk 100 each, he said.
Some local companies copy popular Chinese umbrellas like Cherry and Atlas and sell them at lower prices, said Shahjahan.
Source : New Age
