BGMEA for boosting research into jute-based yarn, fabrics

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association urged the textiles and jute ministry to boost research initiatives, so that yarn and fabrics made from the golden fibre can become global brands.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the call at a meeting with ministry Secretary Md Abdul Mannan on Wednesday, adding that the consumers are increasingly favouring environmentally sustainable clothing options, and jute-based fabrics can take advantage of this rising demand.

Md Nasir Uddin, vice president of BGMEA, Mohammad Abul Kalam, NDC, additional secretary (Textiles) of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and Md Nuruzzaman, director general of the Department of Textiles also attended the meeting, said a BGMEA press release on Thursday.

The existing types of jute-based yarn and fabrics are not qualified to be used by the readymade garment industry for making export-quality products, industry insiders told The Business Post.

According to The Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh produced 18 lakh tonnes of raw jute this season. But due to jute goods’ low demand in the global market, Bangladesh will have to export a large amount of raw jute.

Jute industry insiders said if scientists manage to develop yarn and fabrics from jute good enough for the apparel sector, Bangladesh will be able to add more value to its jute products and the demand for raw jute will increase significantly too.

Besides, the farmers will get a better price, and will be encouraged to boost their jute production.

In the first quarter of FY2021-22, export earnings from the jute sector stood at $212 million – a 30.97 per cent decline from the same period previous FY. In the first quarter of FY2020-21 export earnings from this sector was $308 million, says the Export Promotion Bureau.

At the meeting, the BGMEA discussed various issues centring the RMG and textile industry, including ways to increase value addition in the apparel sector by using yarn and fabrics produced by local textiles mills.

The stakeholders also emphasised on developing local textile mills’ capacity in producing yarn and fabrics that have high demand in the country’s RMG industry.