Govt to set up jute product outlets in all districts

The government will set up exhibition centres and outlets in all divisional cities and district towns in phases to make sustainable and environment-friendly jute products readily available and popularise them.

The Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) steering committee meeting, chaired by Textiles and Jute Secretary Abdul Mannan, took the decision on Tuesday. 

JDPC has been organising jute products fairs in divisional cities and district towns. 

Mannan emphasised setting up outlets to make products by JDPC’s registered entrepreneurs readily available.

The latest move follows a decision by the Ministry of Textiles and Jute in May.

Mannan noted that online marketing would expedite the expansion of jute products markets at home and abroad and directed the JDPC to take some quick steps in this regard.

Bangladesh earns more than $1 billion a year by exporting jute products to about 118 countries. 

To increase the use of jute, the Ministry of Textiles and Jute wrote to ministries, departments, offices, agencies, deputy commissioners, police chiefs, Upazila Nirbahi Officers, police stations in-charges. It also sent letters to Bangladesh ambassadors in 18 countries to boost jute export.

Jute Entrepreneurs Service Centre (JESC) is training entrepreneurs at seven JESC centres to increase the production and use of multipurpose jute products. The seven JESC centres are in Dhaka, Narsingdi, Rangpur, Jashore, Chattogram, Tangail and Jamalpur. 

About 800 JDPC trained entrepreneurs make 282 types of jute products and sell them at home and abroad. 

An estimated 20 million people are directly and indirectly involved in jute cultivation to produce, sell, and export. 

JDPC Executive Director Additional Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam told The Business Post that many entrepreneurs could not afford a showroom to display or sell their products. Exhibition and sales centres will be gradually set up in the district towns.

Currently, only Dhaka has exhibitions and sales outlets. Besides, JESC in Chattogram is being expanded and outlets are being set up there. 

“Land was bought next to Rajshahi railway station to set up an outlet there. After completing this project, we will initially set up outlets in the seven districts that have JESC centres,” he said.