Jute goods in high demand

A wide range of jute-made products has attracted the attention of the visitors at the ongoing Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) due to their diverse, innovative and environment-friendly nature.

Defying the cold weather, visitors on Monday thronged the jute diversification promotion centre of the fair where 26 entrepreneurs are showcasing diversified jute goods with colourful designs.

The array of products includes bags, purses, folders, table mats, prayer mats, doormats, penholders, jute houses, bedside mats, rugs and room dividers.

The exhibitors were offering handsome discounts, 5 per cent to 30 per cent, on their products to attract visitors at the 27th edition of the DITF being held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre at Purbachal in Dhaka.

KM Soriatullah, the proprietor of Izma Brand, told The Business Post they were receiving good responses from the visitors despite the shivering cold for the last few days.

“We are showcasing nearly 100 types of jute-made products including bags, tableware, wall mats, and tissue boxes. We are offering a 20 per cent discount on school, and travel bags marking the fair. We will offer discounts on other products also in the upcoming days,” said the young entrepreneur.

Different types of bags, including shopping, school, official and travelling, are sold between Tk 150 and Tk 18,00 and wall mat prices range between Tk 800 and Tk 6,000 based on colour and quality.

“Our environmental products are attracting both local and foreign buyers. We hope that our sales will boost further in the rest of the days of the fair.”

Shahana Begum, the owner of Fine Fair Craft, said many visitors visit the stall but very few of them purchase as the fair is at the beginning phase.

Expecting a good sale in the upcoming days, she said, “We are showcasing around 200 types of diversified jute products including bags and handicrafts. We are not offering any discount now, but we also will offer it within a day or two.”

Official and school bags are sold for Tk 1100, lady’s bags Tk 800, and lunch bags for Tk 400 at her stall.

Nazma Khanom came from Demra area in the capital to the fair and purchased several handicrafts and a bag made of jute. “I am surprised to see the wide variety of jute goods. I wonder how such products can be made of jute,” she said.

“Actually, I came here with my husband to roam at the fairground; but seeing the nice products, I purchased these,” she added.

“I hope that Bangladesh can earn a huge amount of foreign currency exporting these jute products. Then, our jute cultivators will also survive,” said an enthusiastic Nazma.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, Bangladesh exported raw jute worth nearly $14 crore in FY21, which increased to $21.61 crore in FY22.

The commerce ministry has set a target to export raw jute worth $24 crore in the ongoing FY23.

EPB Secretary Md Iftikher Ahmed Chowdhury said, “A total of 331 stalls have been set up in the fair and 17 of them are of foreign entrepreneurs from 10 countries.”

In the 26th DITF last year, Bangladesh received export orders worth $16m in the largest annual trade event of the country, he informed.

The EPB in collaboration with the commerce ministry has been organising the DITF since 1995. Earlier, up to 25 editions, the DITF was organised at Sher-e Banglanagar in the capital.