Commerce ministry enlists 10 more e-commerce sites as risky

Apart from Evaly, e-Orange and Dhamakasap, which came under discussion recently, the Commerce Ministry thinks that 10 more e-commerce companies are in 'risky' condition. A report released by the ministry on Wednesday (September 22) listed the companies as at stake.

The Ministry of Commerce has listed Alisha Mart, Adian Mart, Falguni shop, Sirajganj Shop, Twentyfour Ticket.com, Glitter's RST World, Green Bangla E-Commerce Limited, Annex Worldwide Limited and Amar Bazar Limited as vulnerable.

The Ministry of Commerce has taken it to mean 'risky', these companies have taken a lot of money by luring people with extra discounts. The rest have also collected products from suppliers.

But many of them do not have enough goods or money to pay the buyers and suppliers. As a result, there is a risk of uncertainty with a large number of buyers and suppliers.

According to a report by the Ministry of Commerce, reviewing the entire e-commerce sector after the Evali and e-Orange incidents, it was found that the high-ups of some companies have gone abroad with the money of buyers and suppliers. There are fears that some more organizations will close down in the future. As a result, the debts of a large number of buyers and suppliers will remain unpaid and more fraudulent institutions will be created in the future.

A special meeting was held on Wednesday with Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Information Minister Hasan Mahmud and Law Minister Anisul Haque to discuss the recent problems in the digital commerce business. The meeting also suggested discussing with the customers how to get the goods and money due from them. The Inspector General of Police and the Director General of RAB, who were present at the meeting, were also requested to keep an eye on the entrepreneurs of these organizations so that they could not run away.

At a post-meeting press conference, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi told the media that the owners of Evaly and e-Orange are now in jail. No one in Dhamakasap could be traced. Alesha Mart is still running some promotions with their cards. A few more companies are doing similar business. The Ministry of Commerce is monitoring the institutions.

Millions of buyers and suppliers of goods will get around Tk 3,000 crore from Evali, e-Orange, Dhamakashop. These companies took advance money from the buyers but did not deliver the products on time. Again, they did not give money to those from whom they took the rest of the products. At one stage, the Ministry of Commerce conducted an investigation in Evaly through Bangladesh Bank.

A preliminary investigation by the central bank found that the company owed Tk 413 crore to buyers and suppliers. But their current assets are worth only tk 65 crore. However, Mohammad Russell, managing director of Evali, said in a statement to the Commerce Ministry that his company owed Tk 543 crore. Of this, buyers owe Tk 311 crore, suppliers Tk 206 crore and other traders Tk 26 crore.

Sohail Rana, a police officer involved in e-Orange, fled the country after customers in the capital staged protests demanding payment. Customers owe Tk 1,100 crore to this company. Dhamakashop owes customers Tk 850 crore. A report by the Ministry of Commerce said that three of the institutions are now closed.