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India, China control our bi-cycle market |
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February 24, 2001
(The New Nation)--Despite high demand for all types of bi-cycles, not a single composite industry has been set up in the country after independence exposing the large vibrant domestic market to overseas manufacturers and blackmarketers. During Pakistani period, two to three units including Batala Engineering and Prince Cycle now Meghna Cycle used to assemble bi-cycles importing spare parts to meet the local demand. Several thousand shops and importers engaged in the trade throughout the country assemble cycles by themselves and market those all over the country. In downtown Dhaka, 200 shops and importers are concentrated in Bangsal where variety of bi-cycles have been assembled with spare parts imported from China and India. A large volume of spare parts are also smuggled into big cities and towns from across the border, informed sources told The New Nation. Lone Meghna Cycle unit at Tejgaon Industrial Area assemble and market Phoenix brand bi-cycles with imported spare parts. There are other brands like Sonali and Lion assembled by small companies. Traders say bi-cycle assembled with spare parts from China cost more than those imported from India. A Chinese cycle cost Tk 3,200 to 4,500 depending on quality while Indian ones sells at between Tk 2,200 to 2500. Traders who are also assemblers said there is scope to remodel and design bi-cycles suiting local demand and requirement but "we cannot undertake the risk as spares are made in India or China." Although baby cycles are in great demand," we can not change their design for similar reason," said proprietor of Arzoo Cycle Store. Although several million people travel by environment-frendly non-motorised bi-cycle in cities, towns and remote corners in all weather condition, country is fully dependent on the imports and smuggling thanks to the policy makers and planners. Pointing out size of domestic market which has the scope for massive investment, trading circles said apart from bi-cycles, about five million rickshaws and rickshaw van throughout the country use foreign spare parts similar to those of bi-cycle worth crores of takas. Traders said Bangladesh has the technology to produce export quality cycle tyres and tubes and these are durable and costlier than imported ones. Private sector enterprises like Gazi, Beg Rubber Industries (BRI), Rupsa, Kohinoor and several others are currently producing tyres and tubes to meet the growing local demand vis-a-vis saving valuable foreign currency. |
