BAGLUNG, Sept 25: Local trade has not flourished in the district this year even in the Dashain festival. Although trade usually flourishes during the festival season, as had been the case in the previous years, the market in Baglung district headquarters has seen a decrease in trade, according to local entrepreneurs.
“This year’s trade is one fourth of last year’s business,” said Umesh Gautam, a trader in Baglung bazaar. “This year, Baglung bazaar has witnessed a decreasing business.” According to Gautam, road connection to rural areas has affected the market this year. “Most of the villages have transportation access these days,” he added: “The villagers do not come as far as Baglung bazaar to buy things. This has reduced our turnover.”
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The sale of clothes has declined by 50 percent this year, said Bhorraj Regmi, president of Cloths and Fancy Traders Association Baglung. “This year, 50 percent business has fallen down in comparison with the last year,” he said: “If we ask the locals to buy cloths, they would say that their children have already brought them from Kathmandu.” “This year, there is smaller number of villagers visiting the market even when Dashain has begun already,” Regmi said: “Most of them have their relatives working or living abroad who bring cloths for them from abroad, so they do not visit local market.” This has affected the life of traders, Regmi added.
Jayram Bhari, president of Baglung Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) said that the trade has been declining even after the local election. “After local elections each village has opened a market center which has affected the business of Baglung bazaar,” Bhari said, “Moreover direct transportation access to the villages has also affected the business in Baglung bazaar.”
Though the market is dry this year, BCCI has increased its monitoring activities to prevent illegal practices in the market targeting the festive season, Bhari told Republica. “We are alert to prevent any illegal activity in the market for the customers. We have also made it compulsory for the traders to keep price list of all goods,” Bhari said.
