Jute production witnessed 8 per cent increase in 2017 comparing previous year, said State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam
The state minister informed that farmers produced 9.2 million bales of jute in 2017 while it was 5 million bales in 2016.
The jute sector is currently producing 240 types of jute products, Mirza Azam said on Wednesday.
The junior minister came up with the information while addressing a seminar at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) auditorium on Wednesday.
The DCCI organised the seminar, titled 'Diversification of jute for the development of jute industry' in collaboration with Ministry of Textiles and Jute.
State Minister said that about 40 million people in Bangladesh are directly or indirectly involved with jute sector.
He called upon the entrepreneurs to make jute bags at a competitive price so that people could willingly use jute bags instead of polythene bag.
DCCI President Abul Kasem Khan, in his welcome address urged for a 'Jute Pulp Paper Act' soon.
According to UNB, he also informed that the world market for jute bags will reach US$2.6 billion by 2022. Bangladesh can use this opportunity.
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, a former Adviser to the Caretaker Government and Executive Chairman of Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), described jute sector as the new growth driver of our economy where jute is not only about past glory but also a golden future.
Dr. Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Director, Jute Research Institute, Director General of Jute Department Shamsul Alam, Secretary of Bangladesh Jute Association, among others, took part in the open discussion session.