A new campaign promoting jute bags in Bangladesh has significantly increased jute prices, according to Jute Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hossain.
Speaking at the grand finale of the 8th season of the Textile Talent Hunt, organized by Textile Today at the Regency Hotel in Dhaka, Sakhawat emphasized the campaign's impact on enhancing local jute production and its visibility worldwide.
Sakhawat said: “Significant progress has been made in the production of jute-based fabrics in the country.”
He also mentioned that Bangladeshi embassies abroad are setting up dedicated exhibition spaces for jute products to boost the international presence of Bangladeshi jute goods.
The event showcased the Textile Innovation Award 2024, honouring distinguished companies in four categories.
Award recipients included Masco Group for Processing (Garments), Urmi Group for Product Development, Shasha Denims for Marketing and Market Development, and Coats Bangladesh for HR/Organizational Development.
Sakhawat highlighted the vital role of language skills, especially English, in enhancing employment opportunities in the sector, urging for more language institutions to help close this gap.
The event was presided over by Dr Ayub Nabi Khan, pro vice-chancellor of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT), and attended by industry leaders such as Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and Shawkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).
The awards underscored the importance of fostering innovation, creativity, sustainability, and continuous improvement in the competitive global market.
Textile Today aims to position Bangladesh as a leader in textile and garment innovation, fostering an industry that significantly contributes to the national economy.
The jute industry is a cornerstone of Bangladesh's economy, playing a crucial role in production, exports, and employment.
Historically, jute goods accounted for 6.5% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings in the 1998-99 fiscal year, highlighting the sector's ongoing significance.
With rising demand for sustainable products, the jute industry is set to play an even more critical role in Bangladesh’s economy.
