This year’s Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) is helping to resurrect the popularity of jute products among customers, due to their diversification, designs and prices.
Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC), under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, has set up a pavilion, where 25 stalls are exhibiting a wide array of jute products, from cups costing Tk25 to carpets priced as much as Tk25,000.
On Saturday the fair witnessed a huge crowd, given it was a weekend.
Customers prefer products useful to household dining tables and the kitchens, said Rafiq Ahmed, owner of Dolony Jute Products, a stall at the JDPC pavilion.
“We have ladies bags, purses, shopping bags and so on in our collection,” he added, “Young customers are showing their fascination for jute products.”
Md Fahad, sales executive at Sonargaon Jute Industries, told the Dhaka Tribune: “We had last participated in the fair two years ago. Two years later, we are seeing people getting more interested for jute products.”
They are selling collectibles, ornaments, table mats, bags and shoes in their stall, he added.
A pavilion of Bangladesh Jail Prison Goods is also established this time, where bags and carpets ranging between Tk119-250 are up for sale, made by prisoners who are sentenced to rigorous imprisonment.
Karupanya, another pavilion selling traditional handicrafts and other goods, is also selling carpets, table mats and bags made from jute.
Md Milon, sales executive of Karupanya’s trade fair outlet said: “Products made with jute have become very popular among costumers. These products are selling rapidly, compared to the other traditional handicraft items in our shop. We are offering 50% discounts and buy-one-get-one offer on some of our products.”
Afzal Hossain, a resident of Uttara and retired government employee, stressed on the importance of patronizing jute products.
“We all should buy locally-made products,” he said, “As a result, the producers will be inspired to produce more jute products.”
Julfia Yasmin, a housewife, bought big shopping bags from a jute product-selling outlet. She said: “The shopping bags are not too heavy and are long-lasting. I have used them earlier. These are very much helpful when I want to carry goods from grocery shops.”
