Director General (DG) of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, AHM Shafiquzzaman, on Monday deplored the presence of 'terrible syndicates' at every stage of the supply chain.

He said the syndicates are active not only at the wholesale or retail levels, but also in the transport sector.

“Due to this, the traders cannot sell products at low prices even if they want to do so. New and young entrepreneurs must come forward to break these syndicates,” he added.

He said this while inaugurating the sale of whole watermelons (as pieces) at fair prices at the TCB's premises in Karwan Bazar of the capital on Monday.

Shafiquzzaman said, “We have seen the regular rent of a truck that is Tk40,000 jump to Tk60,000 if you want to transport watermelons. Truck fares increase by 50 percent during mango season. The same thing happens during the Eid ul Azha for transporting cattle.”

He urged SMEs and young entrepreneurs to step up and break the syndicates' hold over markets, assuring support from his Directorate.