Rohingya influx gives boost to local business in Cox’s Bazar

With the fresh influx of Rohingya, the local business has received a big boost in the coastal district of Cox's Bazar. In Rohingya camps of Kutupalang, Jamtali and Balukhali areas, many small shops can be found that offer almost all kinds of products such as bananas, vegetables, chips, biscuits, cold drinks, juice, snacks and so on. Jahanara, a local who lives nearby and owns a small shop in the Jamtali camp area, said it had been a month since she started the shop. Every day, she sells products worth Tk3,000-4,000 on an average. Asked from whom she hired the place for setting up the shop, she told UNB that she did not take anyone's permission and does not pay any rent. Nur Alam, another local who started his shop 15 days ago, echoed Jahanara. The sale of bamboos has increased as there is a huge demand for it for building new shelters and mosques in camps. Abul Kalam, a local bamboo seller, said he sells bamboos of Tk10,000-25,000 on an average per day. Initially, bamboos were used to be supplied from Ukhia, but now the bamboos are also being supplied from Teknaf and Bandarban, said President of Ukhia Station Bazar Traders' Association Md Ekramul Haque. While the bamboos used to be sold at Tk70-80 each, now they are being sold at Tk300, he added. Both locals and Rohingya were seen setting up small shops in the camp areas and selling products – be it snack or wood to fire the ovens.