Traders and shop owners of Dhaka's Bangabazar Market that burned down on April 4, can operate their businesses temporarily from this Saturday (April 08, 2023) at the site and adjacent area so that they can recover some of the losses. Bangladesh Prime Minister's Adviser on Private Industries and Investment, Salman F Rahman, gave the instruction to the shop owners’ association, after visiting the site today (April 06, 2023). Salman F Rahman visited Bangabazar Market along with leaders of different trade bodies and shop owners' associations. Last Tuesday, a fire broke out at the Bangabazar Complex, one of the main shopping areas in Dhaka city. During his visit to Bangabazar, Rahman also interacted with the affected traders of the market. Read More: Fakhrul suspects influential AL leaders behind Bangabazar Market fire After Rahman left Bangabazar, Bangladesh Shop Owners Association President Helal Uddin told reporters that he (Rahman) called him on his way back from the market. PM’s adviser then told Helal that the burnt area will be cleaned tomorrow (Friday), and the traders can temporarily operate there from Saturday. While visiting the market, Rahman also said that he spoke to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was deeply saddened by the incident. “The Prime Minister would like to provide assistance from her fund. Apart from this, many people from all over the country want to help,” he was quoted as saying. Read More: Bangabazar traders want interest-free loans to survive in business “For this, the shop owners’ association has been asked to open a joint account with the business organization here,” he said. He urged the Market Committee to prepare a list of affected traders and submit it to the City Corporation by next Sunday to get financial assistance. Rahman also said that if the previous case filed by some traders of Bangabazar Market is withdrawn, initiatives will be taken to implement the government’s previous plan to build a new market there. He said, when the market was burnt down years back, the government wanted to construct a new building there. But a fraction of traders did not want it and filed a lawsuit. If that case is withdrawn, the market will be rebuilt according to the previous government plan. Read More: Govt to assist Bangabazar businesses to recover from fire damages: PM Hasina

The affected traders of the Bangabazar fire incident have sought interest-free loans to survive in the business and for repayment of their bank liabilities. In addition, they called on the government to develop infrastructures for business operations again at the same place. The traders of Bangabazar Market made the demand while talking to reporters in front of the damaged market on Wednesday (April 05, 2023). Read More: MCCI to stand beside businesses that suffered loss in Bangabazar fire On Monday a devastating fire gutted around 5,000 small shops in Bangabazar and its nearby markets. Standing in front of his burnt shop, businessman Daud Mia told UNB that he took a loan of Tk 15 lakh from the bank a few days ago giving his home as collateral. “The goods of my three shops were burnt in the fire along with other goods, I am now destitute. There is no arrangement to pay the installments. So, I am asking the government for an interest-free loan to repay the bank loan,” he said as he sobbed. Read More: Bangabazar Market manifests govt’s irresponsibility: Fakhrul The businessmen urged the government to allow setting up shops in the same place again so that the traders who have clothes in their warehouse can sell them. Authorities say an assessment is being done to determine the losses from the fire, apparently to devise a way for supporting the affected businessmen.