Two institutes from Jashore export goods worth Tk 3 billion every year and of this, more than half is exported to China, while several other institutes import different cars, batteries, machines from China.
This business is facing a negative impact due to Coronavirus scare. As a result, many people are becoming unemployed.
The SAF Leather Industries in Jessore is a hundred per cent export oriented industry with sixty per cent leather sent to China.
Manager of the institution, Bidhan Kumar, says: “Due to Coronavirus scare, export has come down to zero.”
“We export products worth Tk. 800 million to China which suspended at the moment; once, bristling with activity, the institution is now sitting idle.”
Quality controller of the organization Shayan Sheikh, adds: “We have a total of 500 workers but half have been sent on holiday and they will not be paid any salary.”
The MUC Sea Food in BSIC city in Jessore is also facing the same fate as their shrimp export to China has stopped and the European market is providing unhealthy competition.
MD of MUC, Shyamol Das, said: “After much effort, we managed to export shrimp worth Tk. 8-10 crore to China last year; in 2020, our target was Tk. 18-20 crore but we haven’t received any order as yet.”
Manager of Sadad Enterprise, which imports parts for Easy Bike, Iqbal Al Jahid, said: “there are 15-16 organisations in Jessore which import parts from China and we sold 150 to 200 easy bikes every day but are now losing buyers since price of parts has risen.”
Former joint president of Jessore Chamber of Commerce, Jahid Hassan Tukun, says: “Once the Corona crisis dissipates, the businessmen can recover but if it prolongs then business people will face financial loss.”