DHAKA, Oct 6 (NNN-XINHUA) – Jute is a fabric most commonly encountered today in history books. It is generally thought as a rough textile of a bygone age. But now officials and entrepreneurs are placing new hope in the jute industry, as the world realises the value of natural fibers, and wasteful fast fashion fills the world’s water with microplastics.
The uses of jute, ranging from ordinary packing material to geo-textiles, apparel and upholstery, promise a new era for some Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, in a sector endowed with great potential. In the last century, with the advent of synthetic fibers, jute almost disappeared entirely. Now, more environmentally-aware consumers may resuscitate the industry.
Sharmin Sultana is an entrepreneur with a keenness to do something with jute.
“I want to work with jute products basically for myself and for the country,” she told Xinhua.
She plans to establish a jute factory, and the products will be sold in Bangladesh first, and then exported to other countries.
According to entrepreneur Fatema Akhter, the demand for jute is very high in both domestic and international markets. Currently more than two hundred products are being made with jute fibers, she said.
“Jute is an environment-friendly resource, it does not cause any disease or environmental pollution,” she said. “For this, we consider the use of jute suitable and beneficial, everyone is appreciating jute.”
Farukuzzaman Badsha, an associate professor at the Department of Fashion Design, in Shanto Maryam University in Dhaka, said, “We are working to create world-class jute products for the world market from Bangladesh, and creating entrepreneurs.”
“We’re paying special attention to the design, so that our products can stand tall in the world and the products are of world quality.”
Rekha Rani Balo, the additional secretary of the Ministry of Textiles, and executive director of the country’s Jute Diversification Promotion Centre, said, the quality of Bangladeshi jute is considered the best in the world.
The ministry and the centre are working to create more markets around the world for Bangladeshi jute products.
“We want to expand our market, and save the environment,” said Balo. “Bangladeshi jute has duty free market access to China, a great opportunity for growth,” she said, “We want to meet China’s expectations with Bangladeshi jute.”
As part of its continued efforts, to revive the golden era of jute, the Bangladeshi government observed the annual National Jute Day on Mar 6, in the country, with the slogan “Golden country of golden fibre – Environment friendly Bangladesh.”
On the eve of the day, Bangladeshi President, Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, issued separate messages greeting the people involved in the jute sector.
Bangladeshi Minister for Textiles and Jute, Golam Dastagir Gazi, stressed the need for arranging more jute fairs to help increase the demand and sale for jute products.
“Jute fairs will encourage entrepreneurs to export more jute products outside the country,” said the minister, adding, jute products are gaining acceptance day by day.– NNN-XINHUA
