Diversified jute products eye market on eco-concern
Star Business Report
Diversified jute products can find a huge market at home and abroad in the wake of growing concern for the environment across the world, speakers said at a function in Dhaka yesterday. Admiration for jute products has increased remarkably in recent time across the world as the products made of synthetic fibre result in environmental hazard, said AFM Sarwar Kamal, general secretary of International Jute Study Group (IJSG). "I have noticed tremendous demands for jute products in the USA only because they are environment friendly," Kamal said at the inauguration of a ten-day training programme on manufacturing exportable quality jute bags and luggage. The Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) organised the programme at the IJSG conference room. "But, success of jute and jute products largely depends on making use of the worldwide awareness of the environment," Kamal observed. Moreover, the producers have to enhance quality and ensure durability of diversified jute products to survive in the competitive market, said JDPC Executive Director ABM Abdullah, who chaired the inauguration. The present world is marked for an urgency to go back to nature. And it will result in the extensive use of jute products, said Md Abdur Rashid Sarker, secretary to the jute ministry. Unfortunately, people are reluctant in investing money and time in research work to diversify jute products, he said. Through a joint initiative of entrepreneurs, the Export Promotion Bureau, commerce ministry and foreign missions can create a huge market of the diversified jute products, the secretary felt. Bangladesh earned foreign exchange worth Tk 40.30 crore in FY2000-01 from diversified jute products export. The amount was Tk 43.30 crore in FY2001-02, Tk 52.88 crore in FY2002-03, Tk 63.77 crore in FY2003-2004 and Tk 83 crore in FY2004-05, Rezaul Haque, a director of JDPC, told the function. However, the export earnings represent performance of only 25 local enterprises, he said. Besides, they sold jute products worth Tk 75.78 crore in the local market in last five years. A total of 15 entrepreneurs are taking part in the training programme, which will enable them to produce high quality bags and luggage combining jute fibres with leather and synthetic materials. The JDPC will train more entrepreneurs and craftsmen in different phases. It will also hold an annual exhibition of diversified jute products at the Shishu Academy from December 1-15 this year.
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