Traditional handloom saree industry facing severe survival crisis in Tangail
Tangail’s traditional handloom saree industry is facing a severe survival crisis driven by a 30% surge in yarn prices, unequal competition from cheaper power looms, and a severe shortage of government support.
Low wages have forced many weavers to abandon the profession—causing the number of active weavers to plummet from about 5,000 to roughly 450—while numerous looms have been shut down or sold off. Industry leaders emphasize that microloans alone are insufficient, calling instead for effective government intervention, yarn subsidies, incentives for the younger generation, and the protection of land-route exports to neighboring countries.
Despite these hardships at home, the heritage of the region achieved major milestones when Tangail sarees were recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product on February 7, 2024, and the 'Tangail Sari Weaving Art' was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 9, 2025.
