Govt Using Taka 100cr Fund to Promote Jute Bags: Bashir

Textiles and Jute and Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin today said that the government is working with around a Taka 100 crore fund facilitating over a thousand entrepreneurs to promote jute bags in the country. "We're working to bring about a cultural shift of jute in the market through the inclusion of around 1,006 entrepreneurs under a fund of nearly Taka 100 crore through the Jute Diversification Promotion Center (JDPC). Our goal is to revive the use of jute bags as in the past. Further research is needed to expand the square meter, mileage, and overall scope of jute. Globally, there is a huge market for jute as a wrapping material," said Sk. Bashir Uddin, adviser to the Ministries of Textiles and Jute, Commerce, and Civil Aviation and Tourism. He made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on "The Role of Jute in Sustainable Development" today at the auditorium of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), said a ministry press release.

The event was organised by the Department of Yarn Engineering under the title "Hafizuddin Ahmed and Fatema Ahmed Trust Lecture 2025". Terming the students as the "Future Captains," Adviser Bashir Uddin further said, "We need a cultural change for the revival of jute bags, not through compulsion, but by choice. Innovation in jute products and reducing production costs will enhance their commercial success and enable them to compete with plastics. For that, we need a coordinated effort combining policies, initiatives, and actions. Increasing productivity leads to more employment opportunities. Wherever you work, strive to make that institution the best-it is through excellence that success is achieved."

At the end of the event, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX), Professor Dr Engineer Md. Julhas Uddin, presented a crest of honor to Chief Guest Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin. In her keynote lecture, Dr. Hosne Ara Begum, Prof of the Department of Yarn Engineering, presented various aspects of how jute cultivation and exports can contribute to a sustainable and environment-friendly economy in Bangladesh. She also called for the exclusive use of jute bags at the upcoming trade fair. Former Prof of Dhaka University (DU) Rashida Akhtar Khanom, Director General (DG) of the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Dr. Nargis Akhtar, Vice President of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) Engr. Khan Manzur Morshed, Convener of the ITET Engr. Ahsanul Karim Kaiser, along with other teachers and students of the university were present, among others.