Govt seeks to expand foreign market opportunities for jute

Business Report :

Textiles and Jute Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin has underscored the necessity of combining aesthetics with functional value in the production of jute goods to secure sustainable growth in both local and international markets.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing the inaugural session of a three-day boot camp on ‘Sustainable Market Entry for Jute-Based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),’held at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) in the capital.

“It would not be possible to go far with jute products by only making flowers and fruits. People admire such items for display, but they do not purchase them in significant numbers,” the adviser said. “For the industry to progress, it is imperative to focus on products that have practical uses and people are willing to purchase,” he further added.

The adviser noted that the government has been taking initiatives to expand market access for jute products, both at home and abroad. In line with this objective, an initial target of marketing 3 million jute bags was later revised to 10 million to meet growing demand.

Additionally, funds were allocated to provide a 30 to 40 per cent subsidy on marketing costs.
“However, the response from entrepreneurs has fallen short of expectations. They spent four to five months just to complete the tender process, which is not acceptable,” he observed.

Bashir Uddin emphasised that training entrepreneurs is integral to the government’s strategy of reviving the sector. The training seeks to build capacity in innovation, design, and business practices to enable SMEs to compete in emerging markets for sustainable and biodegradable products.

Bangladesh’s jute sector, once regarded as the country’s “golden fibre,” has witnessed a series of reforms and diversification initiatives in recent years. These include the promotion of eco-friendly shopping bags, packaging materials, and household items aimed at reducing plastic dependency and tapping into global demand for green alternatives.

Director General of JDPC Md. Jahid Hossain and Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Shaila Yasmin also addressed the programme. A total of 105 small and medium entrepreneurs engaged in jute production are participating in the training, which will provide practical guidance on product development, marketing, and export preparedness.