Play store
Textile and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Saturday that the government is working to turn raw jute into high-value products to boost foreign exchange earnings and government revenue.
He said the government is also promoting promising sectors beyond readymade garments, including silk, handloom and diversified jute products.
The minister made the remarks while inaugurating a six-day Multipurpose Jute Products Fair and a permanent sales outlet, JDPC EXPRESS, at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) premises in Tejgaon.
He said the permanent showroom would help promote diversified jute products and expand their market.
The government aims to attract local buyers through fairs and exhibitions while increasing awareness of Bangladeshi products among foreign buyers, he said.
Muktadir said the products on display include both machine-made and handmade goods, with many handmade items produced by cottage and small industries.
Replying to a question about diversifying and expanding jute exports, he said the government was preparing a plan in coordination with the JDPC and private-sector entrepreneurs’ associations.
There is little scope for value addition when raw jute is exported, but its value can be multiplied by processing it into products such as sliver, packaging materials and blended fibres, he said.
“At the peak of the market last year, raw jute was priced at around Tk 1.5 lakh, or about $1,200, per tonne,” Muktadir said.
The same quantity could fetch around $2,400-$2,500 if converted into packaging products, while blended fibre made by mixing jute with cotton or other fibres could earn around $4,000-$5,000 per tonne, he said.
The government’s goal is to convert the largest possible share of the country’s jute output into value-added products, the minister said.
“Work is under way in coordination with relevant institutions and entrepreneurs to determine how much jute can be used in which sectors and for what kinds of products,” he said.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam said the fair aims to promote local products, expand the use of environmentally friendly goods and discourage polythene use.
The government is also working to promote the country’s GI products, diversified jute goods, Rajshahi silk and handloom products, he said.
“The golden fibre jute was once tied to the country’s pride and people’s emotions, but much of that heritage has been lost over time,” Alam said.
He said such fairs are being organised to boost jute production, expand the use of diversified jute products, develop domestic and international markets and increase value addition.
The JDPC organises such fairs at different locations across the country every year, he added.
Alam said JDPC EXPRESS would operate as a permanent sales and display centre for diversified jute, handloom and silk products.
Plans are also under way to establish similar showrooms at other important locations, including international airports and Bangladesh missions abroad, he said.
The government wants to showcase Bangladeshi products more widely in international markets with support from entrepreneurs and the media, Alam added.
The six-day fair will run from October 3 to 8, from 10:00am to 8:00pm daily. JDPC EXPRESS will remain open seven days a week from 11:00am to 8:00pm.
