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The Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) Saturday has called for a ban on raw jute exports and full enforcement of the mandatory jute packaging law.
The association has raised this demand as export of jute and jute goods has been steadily declining in the international market.
The decision came at the 464th board meeting of the association held on the day at its conference room in the city, chaired by BJSA Chairman Tapas Pramanik.
The meeting was informed that while the global demand for jute goods was falling, raw jute exports were making it difficult for local mill owners to purchase raw jute at fair prices.
Middlemen were also creating an artificial crisis by hoarding raw jute during the harvest season.
On top of this, suspension of exports through Indian land ports and the imposition of anti-dumping duties on jute goods put the sector in further trouble.
The meeting has decided that since the government has identified four promising sectors -- leather goods, jute goods, agricultural products, and pharmaceuticals -- for special priority after Bangladesh's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) club, the jute sector must also be developed with the highest priority attached to it.
The association has stressed speedy implementation of the ongoing initiative to declare jute goods as agro-processed products and increase export incentives.
It also has recommended that the committee formed under the Jute Directorate ensure proper pricing, payment, and supply of jute sacks while fully enforcing the Jute Packaging Act 2010 so that supply and demand are not disrupted.
To resolve the issue of export through land ports, BJSA and BJMA (Bangladesh Jute Mills Association) agreed to jointly appeal to the concerned government authorities.
The meeting also has supported a complete ban on raw jute export in the present context.
Speakers at the meeting have said that if the law is strictly enforced and raw jute exports are stopped, the jute industry will be revitalized and export growth can be regained.
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