2024-10-01 01:57:28
Adviser on Shipping and Textiles and Jute Brigadier General (Retd.) urged the United States to invest in jute and textile and shipbuilding industry. M Sakhawat Hossain.
He made this call during a meeting with Helen Lafave, Charge of the Affairs (CDA) of the United States Embassy in the meeting room of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute on Monday (September 30).
Textile and jute advisor said, jute is called the golden fiber of Bangladesh. It is part of our heritage. At one time jute was the main foreign exchange earning sector of Bangladesh. Due to the increase in the use of plastic and polythene worldwide, there has been some interruption in this trend, but recently, the use of jute and jute products is increasing to prevent global environmental damage due to climate change. The use of any type of polyethylene or polypropylene bags has been banned in all supershops of the country from tomorrow. Alternatively, all supershops will have jute and cloth bags for shoppers.
He said, there is a huge opportunity for foreign investors to invest in our government jute mills and textile mills. Our factories are strategically located in very convenient locations for communication. Most are near ports. Besides, we have skilled manpower in all these sectors.
The advisor said that as an alternative to polythene and plastic materials, the invention of eco-friendly golden bags and jute geotextile multi-purpose jute products has created a huge demand for jute in the country and abroad. At present 282 types of diverse and interesting jute products are being produced in Bangladesh. Apart from this, there is an opportunity to manufacture various jute products as per the customer’s demand. Currently, Bangladesh ranks first in the world in jute exports. Seventy percent of jute produced in Bangladesh is being exported abroad.
The shipping adviser sought technical assistance from the United States for the construction of the country’s first deep sea port, Matarbari Deep Sea Port Dockyard. He requested the United States to invest in the country’s shipbuilding industry, including the Matarbari deep sea port.
The advisor said Bangladesh is a ‘C’ category member state of IOM. Marine academies of Bangladesh are producing highly skilled and talented seafarers, who are bringing reputation for the country by handling international shipping with utmost professionalism.
The Charge d’Affaires of the US Embassy highly praised the ready-made garments made in Bangladesh. He said that the United States and Bangladesh have been working intensively for a long time on matters related to trade and various other mutual interests. Already, the glorious 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries have passed.
The United States has always stood by Bangladesh. The United States reiterates its commitment to work more closely with Bangladesh in the future to address the trade deficit between the two countries. At this time, he emphasized on building the foundation of a strong democratic system in Bangladesh.
At the end of the meeting, the adviser handed over souvenirs made of jute to the US Charge d’Affaires and others in his delegation. In the meeting, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. Abdur Rauf, Secretary of the Ministry of Shipping (Routine Duties) Sanjay Kumar Banik and senior officials of the Ministry were present.