The government will ensure constant monitoring of raw jute prices to facilitate its supply to the mills for increased production of jute goods to augment export growth, said Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi on Sunday.
"We will constantly monitor the prices of raw jute and take effective measures to ensure its smooth supply to the mills and facilitate increased production of jute goods and their export growth," he said.
He was speaking at a meeting with the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) and the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) at Bangladesh Secretariat in the capital.
"We will not allow unscrupulous and unlicensed traders to purchase raw jute for supplying to the mills."
The minister noted that the government has taken different initiatives to bring back the past glory of the golden fibre, and the jute sector has been contributing a lot to the country's economy.
Despite wider use of other artificial fibres, the demand for jute and jute goods has been increasing day by day due to their environment-friendly nature.
Mr Gazi also said the production of jute has been significantly increasing in recent years due to continued supply of jute seeds and other necessary inputs to the farmers in times of their need. Due to the increased production, the mills are getting raw jute without any hindrance.
"Jute harvesting season has started and raw jute is being supplied to the market. The production of jute is satisfactory this year. The farmers will get a good price for their produce."
The government will monitor raw jute prices in the local market to help prevent steep rise of its prices.
Directives were given to the Department of Jute to take necessary measures to prevent trading of wet jute as well as to bar unscrupulous and unlicensed traders from trading raw jute for betterment of the sector, he added.
