Shahariar Islam Sovon :
Development works in Bangladesh have been progressing at a sluggish pace, causing significant strain on the rod sector, particularly for dealers. Rod traders are grappling with rising costs and reduced demand due to the economic slowdown and recent political unrest, exacerbating the sector’s challenges.
Speaking to The New Nation, Shahidul Islam Shapon, a businessman and rod dealer from Lebukhali, expressed his concerns over the escalating costs and logistical challenges.
“The price of BSRM rods has reached Tk 92,500 per ton, with transportation costs adding over Tk 30,000. Meanwhile, CSRM rods are priced at Tk 85,500 per ton,” he said.
Shapon called for a fresh monitoring policy to address the burdens faced by both sellers and local buyers, ensuring that the impact of the rising costs does not disproportionately affect them.
The economic slowdown, compounded by delays in development projects, has further strained the sector. Shapon noted that the situation has worsened in the wake of recent political unrest, causing uncertainty and reducing the momentum of ongoing and planned construction works.
Rod dealers across the country have echoed similar concerns, urging the government to take immediate steps to stabilise the sector.
Proposed measures include monitoring pricing structures, reducing transportation costs, and expediting stalled development projects to revive demand in the market.
As the construction and development sectors play a pivotal role in the country’s economic growth, stakeholders believe that proactive government intervention is critical to mitigating the crisis and supporting the struggling rod industry.
