Staff Correspondent
The government is determined to boost jute product exports to at least $2 billion, even if it falls short of the $5 billion target, said Sheikh Bashir Uddin, adviser to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute and the Ministry of Commerce.
Speaking at an event in Dhaka, he acknowledged the negative growth in jute exports, describing it as "undesirable." He urged stakeholders to present clear proposals to enhance export earnings, assuring them that the government would provide all necessary support. "We are committed to reviving jute's lost glory and will do whatever it takes to reach the $2 billion mark," he stated.
His remarks came on Thursday at the inauguration of a five-day Multipurpose Jute Products Fair (6-10 March) and a fifteen-day Handloom Textile Fair (11-25 March) at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) in Tejgaon's Monipuripara, organised by the Department of Jute as part of National Jute Day 2025 celebrations.
Sheikh Bashir Uddin highlighted a Tk 3.54 billion project aimed at supporting jute farmers with better seeds, fertilisers, and improved retting processes to enhance quality. He also noted various industrial incentives and policy support being implemented. "Through JDPC, we have already created over a thousand entrepreneurs, and we are committed to assisting them. We have also set up a dedicated sales centre to showcase a wide range of jute products," he added.
Reflecting on past challenges, he pointed out that global demand for jute products surged post-Covid, allowing Bangladesh to exceed $1 billion in jute exports. However, an uncontrolled price hike in raw jute-from Tk 2,000 to Tk 7,000 per maund-drove international buyers away, severely impacting the industry over the last two to three years. "We must rescue our entrepreneurs from this crisis," he emphasised.
The event was presided over by Md Abdur Rouf, secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, who highlighted the difficulties faced by small jute entrepreneurs, including limited access to loans and other financial challenges.
Following the inauguration, Sheikh Bashir Uddin visited the fairgrounds, accompanied by senior officials including Jute Department Director General Jinnat Ara, Bangladesh Handloom Board Chairman Abu Ahmed Siddiqui, Silk Board Director M A Mannan, former Additional Secretary Bimal Chandra Roy, and representatives from various industry associations.