14 SMEs to showcase jute products at ‘NY NOW Winter Show’

A total of 14 Bangladeshi Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are going to participate in the “NY NOW Winter Show” scheduled for February 5-8.

The exhibitors will showcase jute-made and natural fibre-diversified products to North American buyers, says the SME Foundation at a press conference on Wednesday at Doreen Hotels & Resorts in the capital.

The 14 organisations are Aasiix International, Adorsholipi, Design by Rubina, Golden Jute Product, Jermatz Limited, Jute Land Bangladesh, Jutemart & Craft in Bangladesh, Jutemart International, Prokritee, Sami’s World Bangladesh, The Jute Fibers BD, TULIKA, Sutar Kabbo Limited and Karujog.

The trade show will enhance the export potential of Bangladeshi jute and natural fibre products, creating more jobs and supporting the country’s economic growth, according to the SME Foundation.

A 3-day long export readiness workshop titled “Canadian and International Market Access for the SMEs” was organized by the USAID-funded Feed the Future Bangladesh Horticulture Activity and TFO-Canada in association with SME Foundation Bangladesh where some 34 SMEs participated.

Out of these SMEs, some 14 were selected based on predefined criteria to participate in the trade show.

At the press conference, the panellists said Bangladesh has abundant jute fibre for the jute diversified sector to flourish. Jute products are eco-friendly and have increasing demand in the international market. However, there’s a knowledge gap among the Bangladeshi jute diversified product manufacturers of the type and style of product that the international market demands. Moreover, in some cases, the SMEs lack knowledge of standard and compliant production practices required for the international market.

The “NY NOW Winter Show” takes place twice a year by Emerald Expositions and is open to trade only. Held in New York City in February and August each year, the show hosts nearly 2,800 global exhibiting companies.