As the Fifa World Cup 2014 is knocking at the door, football fans are buying jerseys and flags of their favourite teams and both the garment factory owners and local businessmen are making huge profits.
Footpaths in Motijheel, Mouchak and Gulistan areas are crowded with buyers who are roaming around and buying sports uniforms.
Many people from different districts have already come to Dhaka to do business ahead of the World Cup. These people are getting opportunity to make profit and they would invest it in business in future.
Mohammad Jasim Mia comes to Dhaka from Begumganj of Noakhali before every world cup and sells flags. He has been doing this business for last 4-5 years.
He buys flags at Tk65 (5 feet), Tk45 (3 feet), Tk15 (2.5 feet) and Tk10 (2 feet) and sells them at Tk160, Tk120, Tk70 and Tk40 respectively.
Jasim said: “I buy these flags from Kawran Factory in Tongi and make profit of Tk1,000-Tk1,200 per day.”
He came to Dhaka on May 29 and would sell flags till June 15. After that, he would invest this money in agriculture.
Jasim said: “The flags of Brazil and Argentina are on top of sale.”
Another seller Mohammad Jahangir who came from Shibchardanga village of Madaripur said: “I make profit of Tk2,000 per day and buy these flags from Gazipur. The flags of Brazil are on high sale.”
Kawran Factory Production Manager Imtiaz Rahman said: “Before every world cup, we make flags. This time we have produced around 20,000 flags.”
One Rajib Chakrabarti was seen buying a jersey for his son in Gulistan area. He said: “My son asked for a jersey. Prices vary from shop to shop, but it is quite cheaper in Gulistan than other areas.”
another seller Nur Uddin said: “Other days I sell T-shirts and pants, but during the world cup session, I sell jerseys. The uniforms of two countries — Brazil and Argentina — are on top of sale. I buy these uniforms from Bangabazar area.”
He said he made a sale of Tk150,000 yesterday.
The jerseys are being sold at Tk200 (large), Tk180 (medium) and Tk150 (small) while these are being bought at Tk160 (large), Tk150 (medium) and Tk100 (small).
Different garment factories in Keraniganj, Gazipur and Narayanganj areas are making jerseys locally.
Nurul Islam, a trader, said: “During the world cup, we make huge profits. I made a sale of Tk60,000 yesterday.”
Besides, these jerseys are being exported to different countries. After Rana Plaza disaster, the reputation of ‘Made in Bangladesh’ got ruined, but the garment owners became successful in regaining their status, said Shahidullah Azim, vice-president of BGMEA.
He said: “In 90% cases, we have overcome the bad reputation related to ‘Made in Bangladesh’ brand.” Around 100 of factories got orders to make jerseys for World Cup fans, he added.
Kamruzzaman Nahid, managing director of Fakir Fashions, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We exported 257,000 pieces of jerseys worth Tk1,000,000. These were exported to America and European countries.”
Mohammad Hatem, first vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association said: “Around 500m jerseys worth $1 billion were exported to European countries, America and Brazil. Around 250,000 pieces were exported from my garment factory (MV Knit Fashion).”
“Buyers could get clothes in cheaper rate from us than other countries, so they don’t have any alternative yet,” he added.
The World Cup will begin on June 12 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
