Bangladesh recently initiated export of privately-produced jute products, according to textile and jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi, who said the jute sector has been revived with the resumption of export of jute products produced by KFD Jute Mills Ltd in Chittagong. Production in Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) units has also started under a private management.

The minister said this while inspecting the production activities of KFD Jute Mill in Chittagong.

The KFD Jute Mill is currently producing an average of 10 tonnes of jute goods daily using 600 workers and Unitex Jute Industries Ltd has so far exported 130 tonnes of jute products to Vietnam, Tunisia and China. About 600 tonnes of jute goods are awaiting shipment, a domestic news agency reported.

Unitex Jute Industries Ltd will launch two more modern production units. As a result, it could produce, on an average, 100 tonnes of products daily. It is expected to employ 3,500, he said.

BJMC in Narsingdi has been leased out and has already started production under a private management. The process of leasing out the Crescent Jute Mills in Khulna and Hafiz Jute Mills in Chattogram is under way.

The ministry has issued expression of interest (EOI) circulars for 18 jute mills, according to secretary of textiles and jute Mohammad Abdur Rauf. Only five firms have fulfilled all terms and conditions.

For the remaining 13 jute mills, 53 proposals have been received from 16 national and international firms through the issuance of a second EOI notification, the secretary said.

"The proposals are being scrutinised and we are hoping to lease a few more mills at this stage," he added.

The government closed 25 state-run jute mills under BJMC in 2020 by paying off dues to some 25,000 workers.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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