Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) Chairperson Abul Kasem Khan called on Golam Dastagir Gazi (Bir Protik), MP, Honourable Minister for Textiles and Jute, on 24 February 2021 at his office at the secretariat to discuss better utilization of the potential of jute through industrial diversification.
Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi (Bir Protik), MP, appreciated the proposal put forward by the BUILD Chairperson for producing jute-based pulp from local green jute to promote the jute industry. At the same time, he endorsed the need for further research in this respect.
Following the example of neighbouring countries, the Government of Bangladesh 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, said the Minister. He added that innovative ideas need to receive policy support from the government for bringing in positive and transformative change in the sector.
To encourage the jute sector, we may consider duty exemption for the entrepreneurs who use the local pulp in their production. The export development fund (EDF) facility should be made accessible to the country’s jute exporters, added the Minister. In regard to jute-based pulp and paper, he suggested that a well-designed pilot can be initiated based on an effective proposal.
BUILD Chairperson Abul Kasem Khan suggested to the Minister that production of jute-based pulp from local green jute would not only be an attractive business proposition for the sector, but it would also enable us to make strides towards becoming a green economy and addressing climate change and environmental sustainability. In that respect, he recommended a Jute Pulp and Paper Act similar to the existing Jute Packaging Act, which has worked well for popularizing jute-based packaging in the country.
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