Bangladesh must identify the problems facing its textile and jute industries and address them with practical measures to lift production and create jobs, State Minister Md Shariful Alam said on Thursday. Read Here
Alam made the remarks during visits to two state-owned units in the port city of Chattogram, Amin Jute Mills Ltd and Asiatic Cotton Mills Ltd, where he reviewed operations, infrastructure, capacity and scope for development, The Daily Star reported.
“Jute is Bangladesh’s traditional cash crop. As an eco-friendly natural fibre, it holds a special place in the global market,” Alam said.
He added that the textile sector also plays a vital role in industrialisation, export earnings and job creation. Both sectors hold significant potential, he said, that can be tapped by strengthening local industries and helping them compete in the market.
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“To realise this potential, we must make proper use of the infrastructure, workforce and production capacity of existing mills,” Alam said.
He urged adoption of modern technology, better production systems and efficient use of existing resources. Assessing each mill’s actual condition and taking appropriate steps could also speed up development, he said.
One of the government’s main goals is to make proper use of state-owned industrial assets, expand production and generate new jobs, Alam said.
Brig Gen Md Kabir Uddin Sikder, chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation, and Brig Gen SM Zahid Hassan, chairman of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation, were among the officials present during the visits.
The tour comes as Dhaka pushes to revive idle state mills. Activities at 25 state-run jute mills were suspended in 2020 because of financial losses, and nine leased mills have since resumed production, local media report. Alam has previously said the government aims to reopen shuttered units through public and private management while courting investors.