The government has launched a joint initiative to revitalise Bangladesh’s jute sector through stronger economic diplomacy, export promotion and market diversification, announcing the formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) and plans to organise an International Jute Expo.
The decisions came at a coordination meeting titled “Strategic Economic Diplomacy and Export Expansion for Bangladesh’s Jute Sector”, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute in Dhaka on Tuesday.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam jointly announced the new initiatives, aimed at restoring the global prominence of Bangladesh’s “golden fibre.”
The meeting was attended by the secretaries of the two ministries, senior government officials, representatives from the Department of Jute, industry leaders, research institutions and development partners.
Addressing the meeting, Shama Obaed Islam reiterated the government’s commitment to revitalising the jute sector and stressed the need to organise national and international exhibitions to promote jute and jute products in global markets.
She highlighted the role of economic diplomacy in expanding exports, saying Bangladesh’s missions abroad would be actively engaged in promoting the country’s jute industry and identifying new export opportunities.
State Minister Shariful Alam thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for initiating the collaboration and underscored the importance of close coordination between the two ministries and the private sector to enhance jute production, processing, value addition and market diversification.
According to the decisions taken at the meeting, the proposed Joint Working Group will prepare a national roadmap for jute exhibitions, identify and address trade barriers affecting the sector, facilitate the establishment of dedicated jute research centres, promote the adoption of modern technologies and monitor the progress of jute mill modernisation.
The proposed International Jute Expo will bring together domestic and international buyers, researchers and investors to showcase Bangladesh’s jute products and strengthen the country’s position in global markets.
The meeting also discussed setting up mandatory jute display centres and gift shops at Bangladesh’s international airports to promote locally made jute products among foreign visitors.
Participants further emphasised the need for the early implementation of a project to introduce jute-made school bags for primary school students as part of efforts to increase domestic use of environmentally friendly products.
Another key priority discussed was achieving self-sufficiency in jute seed production within the next three years by reducing dependence on imports through expanded domestic production.
The two ministries reaffirmed their commitment to working together to modernise the jute sector, ensure fair prices for farmers and position Bangladesh as a reliable global supplier of sustainable, climate-friendly jute-based products.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
