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Demand for imported prayer caps has shown a significant rise ahead of Eid-ul Fitr in the local markets.
The caps, imported from Iran, Turkey, Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, have flooded markets in Dhaka city.
Imported caps are gaining popularity among the country's higher and middle class customers. These buyers are paying 10 times higher than the prices of locally manufactured caps.
A cap importer of the city's largest wholesale hub - Chawkbazar -- said many local buyers, who have fancy for stylish and distinctive caps, do not bother about the prices.
"With the number of such buyers increasing in the country, the local importers are bringing in caps from the different countries to meet the demand," he said.
The popularity of the imported caps becomes evident during the month of Ramandan and on occasion of two Eid festivals as sales of such caps dominated over local products.
More than 50 per cent of the country's annual cap sale is recorded during the period between holy Lailatul Barat and the Eid-ul Adha.
Javeb, a shop-owner of the city's largest cap retail market at Baitul Mokarram Mosque, told the FE that imported cap had already captured 30 per cent of the local market.
In the past, foreign prayer caps used to enter into the local market through travelers, especially Bangladeshis returning from hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. But now traders import them from many Muslim countries.
Leather 'Zinnah' cap imported from Pakistan are available in the local market at a price of more the Tk 1,000. Besides, the woolen 'Zinnah' caps are also available at prices varying from Tk 500 to Tk 1000.
The stylish round shaped, embroidered, handmade Sindh cap from Pakistan is seen most popular among the buyers.
The prices of the cap range from Tk 200 to Tk 600.
Different types of 'Rumi' cap -- named after the great Persian poet Jalaluddin Rumi -- are available in the local markets at Tk 150 to Tk 600, he added.
The prices of colourful embroidered 'Azmiri' caps, which have huge demand in old Dhaka, are sold between Tk 150 and Tk 400.
These caps have been available in the local market since long. The foreign expensive caps have attracted local buyers due to superior quality and finish, market sources said.
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