The education sector and the printing industry have been dealt a major blow no sooner had they begun to make a comeback from two-year-long closures and business slowdown owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Educational institutions in Bangladesh were largely closed since the outbreak of the virus in the country in March 2020. But as coronavirus caseloads have dropped sharply in recent weeks, the government is gradually allowing in-person classes.
Similarly, the printing industry that saw its business hit the rock bottom as demand fell is hoping for a strong revival as the economy is recovering strongly.
But the recent rise in paper price caused by the hike in paper pulp, the raw material, and the supply disruption caused by the Russian-Ukraine war, means parents, who are already under pressure for the increasing inflation, will find it difficult to afford the key learning ingredient for their children, while the hope for a swift recovery for the printing industry may be dashed.
In the last three and a half months, the price of papers rose by a minimum of 31 per cent in Bangladesh.
The price shot to Tk 90,000 per tonne in the first half of March, up from Tk 70,000 in December, according to millers and traders.
“The printing industry is facing trouble as millers can’t supply the paper on time on the excuse of raw material shortage,” said Shahid Serneabat, chairman of the Printing…
