State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam has said that closed jute mills across Bangladesh will be gradually reopened to create employment and revitalise the sector.
He made the remarks while inspecting the progress and activities of the Pirojpur Textile Vocational Institute project in Pirojpur on Saturday.
Shariful Alam said jute has long been deeply connected with Bangladesh’s heritage, culture, and rural economy, but the sector has lagged behind in recent years.
Reopening shuttered jute mills, he noted, is one of the key pledges made by the government during the election.
“In line with our commitment, and under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we aim to diversify jute-based products and expand employment opportunities through the revival of closed mills,” he said.
The minister said that although the present government is still in its early days, a number of initiatives are already underway to deliver visible progress within a short period. Measures are being taken to increase the production of raw jute and jute seeds, reopen inactive mills and factories, and create more job opportunities in the sector.
Highlighting environmental concerns, Shariful Alam noted that plastic products have been banned in the country since 2001.
He said the government plans to renew awareness campaigns to discourage the use of plastic and promote eco-friendly alternatives made from jute.
He added that steps are also being taken to ensure that everyday items used in various government offices are gradually replaced with jute-made products.
Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute Bilkis Jahan Rimi, among others, was also present at that time.
