An Interview on the impact on Square Apparels Limited during the COVID-19 pandemic from

January 2020 to April 2021.

Name of the Interviewee: Abdullah Al Mamun
Designation: Executive
Company Name: Square Apparels Ltd.
Interview Media: Mobile phone
Interviewer Name: Faiyaz Samin

Since Covid-19 is now a major concerning issue for all around the world we are trying to find its
impact on the import businesses. So, I have talked with Mr. Mamun to know how their business is
going on in these days & what problems they faced during this Covid-19 pandemic.
Myself: As salamualaikum. How are you?
Mamun: Walaikum as salam. I am fine.
Myself: As I told you I need some information of your company about the impact of Covid-19. Tell
me the name of your company. What is your product & factory location?
Mamun: I am in Square Apparels ltd which is a sister concern of Square Group. Basically, we export
different types of shirt, pant, tops, bottoms fabrics. Our factory is located in Square Master Bari,
Valuka, Mymensingh.
Myself: Where does the raw materials come from? Do you import or your own production?
Mamun: We are mostly depended on import for raw materials. But we produce some.
Myself: From which country do you import? Can you tell in percentage of import of different
country?
Mamun: Our total import is 60% & we produce 40%. We import 40% form China, 40% from India &
rest 20% from USA, France, Turkey, Pakistan etc.
Myself: Do you fell any change in import & export in Covid-19 pandemic time?
Mamun: Yes. There is much difference. Most of our buyers are from Europe. Last year during the
lockdown in March’2020 we faced a huge order cancellation & reducing the quantity of order. Say
some ordered 10000pcs now they are decreasing it to 6000pcs. All the stores were closed & some was
totally shutdown.
Myself: Can you name some of your buyers? Who were totally shutdown?
Mamun: We usually have 40-45 buyers amongst them 15-20 are regular. Hugo Boss, H&M, Tom
Tailor, Tommy, Hilfiger, VF Asia, Puma, G-Star, C&A etc. As I remember Debenhams, M&S totally
shut down.
Myself: Do your company face any barriers while importing raw materials?
Mamun: Yes, we do. USA, UK, Europe buyers give some restrictions to import raw materials from
China. For buyer recommendation we have to source from other countries. We feel comfortable to
import from China because its easy to handle, availability & cheap in price. Although the price hike
has become a major problem.
Myself: What is the difference between last year & this year turnover?
Mamun: Our last year turnover was $45M & this year expected turnover is $28-30M.
Myself: What kind of problems did your company faced during the lockdown period?
Mamun: When the number of infection cases were increasing all the workers & the staffs were in a
panic situation. Orders were getting cancelled, availability & the price of raw materials were
increasing, new orders were hard to come by.
Myself: Did your company reduced manpower during this time?
Mamun: No. We don’t have that policy. But our salary was reduced by 50% in April’20 & May’20.
Myself: What the present condition of the business?
Mamun: We have passed a worst time between March’20 to November’20. Things getting started
charge from December’20.
Myself: Government has announced stimulus packages for this export import sector. Did your
company get any benefit from it?
Mamun: No. Our sales were decreased but under the giant umbrella of Square Group we didn’t faced
that much financial problem.
Myself: What are the steps your company has taken to protect the business from this situation?
Mamun: In the begining after opening the LC & Work order we used to confirm the order. But last
year when the pandemic took place lots of order were cancelled & quantity reduced. So this time we
take a payment guarantee of Three months. So that the buyer can’t cancel the order as their own wish
or reduce the order quantity.
Myself: What measures does the company has taken for staff & workers for Covid-19?
Mamun: We strictly maintain the WHO guideline for preventing Covid-19. Employee gets free
treatment & other facilities.
Myself: Does Government has taken any measures to protect this business? How?
Mamun: We are very thankful to the government. Raw materials VAT & Tax has been reduced which
helped us in the price hike market. Government is also helping to give fast delivery services to the
buyer in the minimum time.
Myself: Alright. Thanks for your valuable time & sharing information. Hope this will help me a lot
Mamun: You are welcome.