The border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many walks of life as well as the country’s economy. But at the same time, it has also come as a turning point for many people, encouraging them to start their own businesses. In Samdrup Jongkhar, all the tailoring shops used to be operated by Indians. Today, all the shops are run by local residents.
About two years ago, there are six tailoring shops in Samdrup Jongkhar town, all operated by Indians from neighbouring towns in Assam.
When the border gates were closed due to the COVID-19 situation in March of 2020, all of them left for home. The first shop run by a Bhutanese opened up a few months later in July by a group of local women. Today, there are four tailoring shops in the town.
One of the shops is run by Pema Wangmo, a housewife, who started her business just two months ago.
“We underwent training for six months and then decided to open a tailoring shop,” she said.
“I opened the tailoring shop since the border gate is closed due to the pandemic. The Indian tailors are not able to come in. For now, we are new to it and as we get experienced, we hope more customers will come,” said another owner, Chador Wangmo.
On average, they earn about Nu 13,000 to 15,000 a month.
They added that they will continue to provide the services and that too at an affordable rate even after the border gate reopens.
“We hope to provide the services at a cheaper rate and good quality,” said Chador Wangmo, an owner.
“Even if the border gate reopens, we will not close our tailoring shop. We will provide the services but at a cheaper rate,” said Karma Yangden, another owner.
Realising the shortage of tailors in the district and to help create jobs, the Regional Labour and Human Resource Office conducted a six-month-long tailoring course. And some 20 participants attended the training.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Tshering Zam
