A three-day international jute fair began on Thursday with a call to promote jute and jute products in the world market as well as expanding international markets for the products.
International Jute Study Group in collaboration with National Jute Board, India and Jute Diversification Promotion Centre organised the fair at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
Secretary of the ministry of textiles and jute Ashraful Moqbul inaugurated the fair as the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Ashraful Moqbul said the government had already taken a number of steps to regain the lost glory of jute and jute goods by increasing the demand of jute goods in the international market.
He disclosed that the contribution of the jute sector to the country’s national economy rose to 4.68 per cent during the 2009-10 fiscal from 2.5 per cent during the 2008-09 fiscal.
The demand for the diversified jute goods in the international market is on the rise, which helped the sector become the second largest export earning sector after Readymade Garment in the country.
First secretary of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Andrew Barnard, JDPC executive director Khandaker Moklesur Rahman, NJB secretary Atri Bhattacharya and secretary general of IJSG Bhupendra Singh also spoke
Andrew Barnard said the jute and jute goods have a huge demand in the EU market as the products are environment-friendly.
A total of 20 exhibitors from Bangladesh and India are showcasing different jute and jute goods in the fair.
The fair will remain open from 9am to 9pm everyday.
