Trade
4 years ago

BJMA seeks proper enforcement of jute packaging act

File photo used for representational purpose
File photo used for representational purpose

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The country's private jute millers have urged the authorities concerned to enforce the mandatory jute packaging act properlyand increase the use of jute bags to help the millers overcome the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.

To this effect, Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) made the request in a letter to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute last week.

It also demanded increasing the government's procurement of jute bags from private mills to increase their local sales.

The BJMA said that due to coronavirus pandemic, buyers from major markets in Europe, Middle East and Africa have canceled the import orders. Besides, it is very hard to get fresh orders at this moment.

In this circumstance, it is crucial to increase the local use of eco-friendly bags to help survive the sector, the letter reads.

A total of 19 products are on the list of Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010. These are paddy, rice, wheat, maize, fertiliser, sugar, spices, turmeric, onion, ginger, garlic, coriander, pulses, potato, flour, crude flour (ata) and rice bran, poultry feed and fish feed.

Of the total enlisted products, only few items like paddy and rice were being packaged with jute bags in the first one or two years because of mobile court drives, BJMA secretary general Abdul Barik Khan said.

After that the traders became relaxed in using the bags, he said and added that if the authorities do not take strict measures, the law will not be implemented by the traders.

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