Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday assured tea estate owners of the government's policy, financial and institutional support to help revive and expand Bangladesh's tea industry, directing the formation of a committee to identify the sector's problems and recommend effective solutions.
The assurance came at a meeting on the development of the country's tea industry held at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, UNB reports.
Owners of tea estates and representatives of the sector briefed the Prime Minister on the industry's current situation, highlighting rising production costs, financing constraints, higher energy costs and the challenge of remaining competitive in the international market.
They also placed a number of proposals aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.
Tarique Rahman listened to their presentations and described the tea industry as an important sector of the national economy.
He said the government will provide the necessary policy, financial and institutional support to help the industry grow.
The Prime Minister also assured tea estate owners that the government will consider easing their existing loan liabilities and facilitating low-interest loans for the sector.
He further said the government will positively consider allowing solar power generation on tea garden land unsuitable for cultivation and provide the necessary financial support for implementing such renewable energy projects.
Tarique Rahman directed the formation of a committee comprising representatives from the relevant ministries, divisions and organisations associated with the tea industry to identify the sector's existing problems and recommend effective solutions.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu, Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Land Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin, Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, secretaries of the relevant ministries and representatives of tea estate owners and industry bodies attended the meeting.