Textile and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Saturday said the government was working to convert as much raw jute as possible into high-value products to increase foreign exchange earnings and revenue.
He said the government was also promoting promising sectors beyond readymade garments, including silk, handloom and diversified jute goods.
Muktadir made the remarks while inaugurating a six-day ‘Multipurpose Jute Products Fair’ and a new sales outlet, ‘JDPC EXPRESS’, at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre premises in Tejgaon.
He said a permanent showroom was being launched at JDPC to promote local products and expand their market.
The government also aims to attract local buyers through fairs and exhibitions while increasing awareness among foreign buyers, he added.
The minister said diversified jute products included both machine-made and handmade items, with many of the latter produced by cottage and small industries.
Replying to a question on diversification and export expansion, Muktadir said a plan was being prepared in coordination with JDPC and associations of private-sector entrepreneurs.
He said exporting raw jute offered little value addition, while its value could be multiplied by converting it into products such as sliver, packaging materials and blended fibre.
“At the peak of the market last year, raw jute was priced at around Tk 1.5 lakh, or about $1,200, per tonne,” he said.
Muktadir said the same quantity of jute could fetch around $2,400 to $2,500 if converted into packaging products.
Blended fibre products made by mixing jute with cotton or other fibres could earn around $4,000 to $5,000 per tonne, he added.
Export earnings in focus
The minister said the government’s goal was to convert the largest possible share of the country’s jute output into value-added products.
Work was under way with relevant institutions and entrepreneurs to determine how much jute could be used in different sectors and for different products, he said.
Muktadir expressed hope that this would help maximise foreign exchange earnings and revenue from the sector.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam said the fair aimed to promote local products in the domestic market, expand the use of eco-friendly goods and discourage the use of polythene.
He said the government was also working to make the country’s geographical indication products, diversified jute goods, Rajshahi silk, handloom and other textile products better known and more widely used.
“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,” he said.
Shariful said such fairs were being organised to increase jute production, expand the use of diversified jute products, create markets at home and abroad and turn more of the fibre into value-added products.
He said JDPC organised similar fairs at different places across the country every year.
More JDPC outlets planned
Shariful said JDPC EXPRESS would operate as a permanent sales and display centre, offering diversified jute products alongside handloom and silk items.
He said there were plans to open similar showrooms at other important locations in the future.
The government was also considering setting up showrooms or display centres for local products at international airports and Bangladesh missions abroad, he added.
Shariful said stronger promotion in international markets was needed to raise awareness and use of these products at home and abroad.
With support from entrepreneurs and the media, the government wanted to showcase local products more widely in the global market, he said.
The six-day fair will run from 3 to 8 October, from 10am to 8pm daily.
JDPC EXPRESS will remain open seven days a week from 11am to 8pm.
