Staff Reporter :
The entrepreneurs of the jute sector want policy support for producing jute-based pulp using modern technologies from local green jute to promote the industry.
The production of jute-based pulp from local green jute will not only be an attractive business proposition for the sector, but it will also enable the businesses to make strides towards becoming a green economy, they said.
Facilitating farmers and traders, the government may set up cluster-based manufacturing units in different parts of the country that enables efficient supply chain management, they added.
They came up with the recommendations while talking to the Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi at the latter’s office in the secretariat in the capital on Wednesday.
Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) Chairperson Abul Kasem Khan, it CEO Ferdaus Ara Begum and DCCI Director and Bangladesh Jute Diversified Product Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BDJMEA) convener Md Rashedul Karim Munna, among others, were present.
Speaking at the meeting, Kasem said that the country produces 47.41 per cent of world production of jute but it still imports 500-600 tonnes worth around $600 million of pulp annually. So, we need to set up mills to produce high quality of pulp from local green jute which can help the rural economy and meet its entire demand for export, the BUILD Chairperson said.
Kasem also urged the government to consider policy benefits for the sector by encouraging government purchase of Jute pulp-based paper in addition to other initial policy supports so that local jute-based pulp producers can take off in business growth.
Ferdaus Ara Begum said as per the Prime Minister’s announcement the jute is being treated as an agro-product, but the sector still doesn’t receive the facilities available for the agro-based sectors.
Considering the proposals, Golam Dastagir Gazi said that the government will look into framing relevant policies to support the industry, but it will need feedback and support from various stakeholders, including jute traders, large farmers and local entrepreneurs and investors.
We may consider duty exemption on imported pulp for the domestic entrepreneurs who use in their production, he said, suggesting the business think-tank for making a well-designed and an effective proposal in this regard.
The export development fund (EDF) facility should be made accessible to the country’s jute exporters, the minister said.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Data, the export of jute and jute goods is $765.63 million in July- February of the current fiscal year which is 27.08 per cent higher than the same period of the previous year.
Around 135 varieties of jute products are being produced in the country whereas diversified jute products are being exported to 118 countries.
