In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Bangladesh, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian has urged traders to reduce the prices of essential commodities ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, saying festivals should bring relief and happiness to people rather than financial pressure.
The appeal – believed to be the first formal call by a DC for festival-based price reductions – has already received a positive response from business leaders in the country’s commercial capital.
Responding to the DC’s appeal, top traders from Khatunganj, Riazuddin Bazar and other major business bodies are expected to jointly announce a three-day special discount programme on essential commodities through a press conference on May 18.
Many observers see the initiative as the beginning of a new humanitarian market culture in Bangladesh.
It may be recalled that Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian made a similar appeal to traders while serving as DC of Narayanganj. However, the initiative is now being pursued on a much larger scale in Chattogram.
Speaking at a meeting with leaders of different business associations at Khatunganj and Riazuddin Bazar on Thursday, the DC said prices in many countries around the world decrease during major festivals through special sales and discounts.
“In Europe and North America, festival discounts or festive sales are a common culture. But in Bangladesh, we often witness the opposite – prices of essential commodities rise during festivals. We need to move away from this mindset and build a humane and responsible market system,” he said.
Calling Chattogram the economic and commercial capital of Bangladesh, Zahid said the city should lead the way in creating a positive example.
“We want to send a humanitarian message from Chattogram,” he said.
“We want to start a new slogan from Chattogram – that festivals should be celebrated in a rational and humane way so that people from all walks of life can take part.”
The DC said the true spirit of a festival lies in inclusiveness.
“A festival cannot be meaningful if one group of people can celebrate while another cannot because of rising prices,” he said.
Referring to Western countries, he said people often wait all year for Christmas sales because consumers from lower-income to upper-income groups can then shop with comfort.
“Bangladesh also needs to adopt such a culture,” he added.
The DC said the interim government is working to build a humane Bangladesh, but some dishonest traders create artificial shortages during festivals by hoarding essential commodities in pursuit of excessive profit.
“As a result, ordinary people are forced to buy products at inflated prices,” he said.
He added, “Festival prices should not rise – they should fall. And Chattogram can become the pioneer of this culture.”
Welcoming the response from traders of Khatunganj and Riazuddin Bazar, Zahid said, “Chattogram traders have shown that they stand beside ordinary people.”
During the meeting, he also highlighted structural problems in the supply chain, saying imported products often pass through several layers of intermediaries before reaching consumers, causing prices to rise unnecessarily.
“If retailers can directly access imported goods from importers, prices can remain more stable,” he observed.
The DC stressed that he was not asking traders to incur losses.
“If a trader earns one taka profit from a product, reducing a portion of that profit by one or two taka during Eid can greatly help consumers. Traders will not suffer significant losses; rather, customer numbers may increase,” he said.
He urged traders to introduce special discounts for at least three days before Eid-ul-Azha to create a new market culture where festivals are associated with relief instead of price hikes.
Zahid also linked economic pressure during festivals to wider social anxiety, including unsafe travel and excessive financial competition.
“Behind every vehicle on the road are our children, families and loved ones. We must reduce unnecessary pressure on people during festivals,” he said.
He added that the district administration would conduct awareness campaigns through public announcements and video messages to encourage the initiative.
Business representatives attending the meeting welcomed the proposal.
One trader said discussions were already underway to reduce prices, even marginally, for at least three days before Eid.
Another trader said formal announcements from business leaders would create a stronger impact and help build public confidence.
Participants also proposed displaying both previous and discounted prices at shops so customers could clearly understand the amount of reduction.
Representatives of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) called for strict monitoring to prevent hoarding, syndicates and the spread of substandard products in low-income areas during Ramadan and Eid seasons.
Leaders of BGMEA, BKMEA and other business organisations also expressed support for the initiative, saying Chattogram could set a national example through collective efforts.
Concluding the meeting, the DC said, “l we are making a commitment — a new chapter will begin from Chattogram. During festivals, prices should not rise; they should fall. And Chattogram will lead the way.”
