DHAKA, May 31, 2020 (BSS) – Country’s jute sector has occupied the second top position for the first time in the export trade by beating the leather sector with a total earning of US$ 79.13 crore in 2019-20 fiscal year which is 14 percent more than the last year’s and 17 per cent more than the target.
“Country’s Jute sector made a significant breakthrough for the first time and occupies ‘2nd position’ replacing the leather sector with an export earning of US$ 79.13 crore in the first 10 months from July to April in 2019-20 fiscal year,” said Textile and Jute Minister Golam Dastigir Gazi.
The minister said this announcement while addressing a review meeting held after a long nation-wide shutdown due to contain the COVID-19 at his ministry office here today.
The accumulated jute export earning is 14 per cent more than the earning made during the same period in the last year and 17 per cent more than the target, said the minister.
Reiterating the pledge to provide all sorts of assistance for increasing the production of Jute, the minister said, “The government will provide all the necessary assistance for increasing the production of jute.”
As part of the initiative, he said, the concerned ministry is serious enough in accurate and quick distribution of incentives which would be provided for motivating farmers for jute cultivation and jute industries extension considering its demand at local and international markets.
Textile and Jute Secretary Lokman Hossen Mia and additional Secretary M Abul Kalam Azad, among others, attended the meeting.
Elaborating the government initiative for increasing the jute production, Gazi said the government has taken a project titled ‘Jute and jute seed production and extension’ with the duration from July 2018 to March 2023, adding that the project will help the farmers by providing all the necessary cooperation to grow quality jute and jute seed in 230 upazilas of 46 districts.