Govt won’t control export of raw jute: Minister

Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi has said the government will not impose any controls on export of raw jute, despite local mill owners' call to stop its export or impose a $250 duty per tonne.

"We are working to increase production and export of raw jute and jute goods, increase the use of jute products, fix the fair price of jute and protect the environment," he said.

The minister made these remarks at a meeting with the leaders of Bangladesh Jute Association (BJA) at his secretariat office on Sunday, says a press release. 

He also  said new versatile products are being added to the jute sector through production of charcoal from jute sticks, composite jute textile and jute geo-textile in order to diversify the use of jute and increase the production of value-added jute goods and its marketing.

Taking into consideration the demand of jute in the domestic and international market and the global expansion of the jute industry, the government has declared 282 types of jute goods as versatile jute products, the press release added. 

He said the ministry is working to expand the jute market and earn foreign exchange and contribute to environmental protection by implementing the policies and plans adopted by the incumbent government. 

With these efforts, Bangladesh will be re-established as a golden fiber country on the world map. However, the government is aware of various problems in the sector.

Textile and Jute Ministry Additional Secretary Sabina Yeasmin, BJA Senior Vice President Arju Rahman and BJA leaders and activists were also present at the meeting.

In an August meeting of the National Jute Sector Coordination Committee chaired by the Textiles and Jute Minister, topics discussed included local mill owners' proposal to stop export of raw jute and their suggestion to impose a $250 duty per tonne.

The meeting had stressed on the idea of exporting high value-added jute goods by controlling the export of raw jute.