[🇧🇩] Jute Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Is it possible to earn $5bn from jute and jute products

In the fiscal year 1972-1973, Bangladesh jute and jute products earned $313.1 million out of its total $348.4 million of export which is about 90 perc...

www.textiletoday.com.bd

Is it possible to earn $5bn from jute and jute products
Arif Uz Zaman
May 4, 2024 9:30 AM

In the fiscal year 1972-1973, Bangladesh jute and jute products earned $313.1 million out of its total $348.4 million of export which is about 90 percent of the total export. With the evolution of time, the glory of jute industry of our country has slowly faded. In the 1990s, where jute production was on 12 lakh hectares, it gradually reached 4-4.5 lakh hectares.

Is it possible to earn $5bn from jute and jute products

However, there is hope, due to environmental awareness, eco-friendly products, immense potential of natural fibers and the demand of jute products in the world market, the cultivation and production of jute is increasing again. In 2022-23 fiscal year, Bangladesh earned $912.2 million from the jute sector. But is it possible to take it to $5 billion?

Bangladesh produces 33 percent of the world's total jute and exports about 90 percent of raw jute. From this it can be easily inferred that Bangladesh exports huge amount of raw jute at cheaper rate than the jute products. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data, Bangladesh has earned $1.12 billion by exporting jute and jute products in the fiscal year 2021-22. Out of this, the income from raw jute export is only $216.1 million which was $204.17 million out of $912.2 million in 2022-23.

However, various jute products made in Bangladesh have gained popularity all over the world. Eco-friendly special golden bags are made from jute and jute waste cellulose. Jeans (denim) made of jute have caught the attention of fashion conscious people all over the world. Jute geotextile is produced by mixing coconut husk with jute cuttings and low quality jute in certain proportions.

Jute is used to manufacture 235 types products including sarees, lungis, salwar-kameez, punjabi, fatwa, bahari bags, toys, showpieces, wallmats, scenes, nakshikantha, doormate, shoes, sandals, ropes, twine, door-window curtain cloth, jewelry and jewelry boxes.

Is it possible to earn $5bn from jute and jute products

Bangladesh is now earning $1 billion from raw jute and above mentioned products. If we reduce the export of raw jute and focus on manufacturing and exporting these products then our current export can be multiplied easily.

Due to the growing demand for natural fibers in the world, the demand of jute and jute products is constantly increasing. Even the interiors of world famous luxury cars and airplanes are made with jute. The World Trade Organization-WTO has directed car manufacturers to use eco-friendly jute instead of glass, asbestos and plastic used in car bodies.

The main program of Jute Day was celebrated at Bangabandhu International Conference Center on March 14 this year. On this occasion, Hon'ble Prime Minister highlighted several aspects to increase the production and export of jute. She emphasized on increasing the production of jute and jute products and product diversification and urged to find new markets for the export of golden fibers. She also announced incentives for export products made from jute.

At this time, if entrepreneurs are interested and invest in the production and export jute products instead of exporting our own raw materials, it is possible to bring back the golden past of jute and earn huge foreign currency. However, investment is actually needed to install modern machinery and equipment. Most of the jute mill machinery in our country is of old model. Global demand and competition with these old machinery will not be possible for long.​

 

[Saif]

‘The Soul of Jute’: AFD hosts immersive showcase on Bangladesh’s golden fibre

“The Soul of Jute” invites visitors to engage with the material’s deep roots in Bangladesh’s heritage and its growing relevance in sustainable design. The exhibition positions jute not only as an agricultural product but as a bridge connecting craft, culture, and tourism—reflecting the work of...

www.thedailystar.net

‘The Soul of Jute’: AFD hosts immersive showcase on Bangladesh’s golden fibre

Photo: Collected

The Alliance Française de Dhaka, Travel Magazine VROMON, and the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre PLC (JDPC) are presenting "The Soul of Jute", an immersive exhibition that places Bangladesh's famed golden fibre at the centre of design, craftsmanship, and sustainable innovation.

The exhibition opens tomorrow at 10am at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will inaugurate the event as the Chief Guest. She will be joined by Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Adviser at the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and Bilquis Jahan Rimi, Secretary of the same ministry, as Special Guests.

Described as an immersive exploration of jute's cultural and creative legacy, "The Soul of Jute" invites visitors to engage with the material's deep roots in Bangladesh's heritage and its growing relevance in sustainable design. The exhibition positions jute not only as an agricultural product but as a bridge connecting craft, culture, and tourism—reflecting the work of local artisans and the imagination of contemporary designers.

The showcase spans traditional handwoven pieces and cutting-edge jute innovations, highlighting the fibre's versatility across art, craft, and design. Curators note that the exhibition aims to demonstrate how jute continues to inspire makers while contributing to the country's creative economy.

Jute-based crafts and products have long held an important place both locally and internationally. Beyond their utilitarian and artistic appeal, these products support rural livelihoods, strengthen the national economy, and align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They promote eco-friendly practices, empower artisans, and bolster Bangladesh's wider vision of a more sustainable future.

"The Soul of Jute" brings these contributions forward, offering local and international audiences an opportunity to experience jute's creative range and its potential in shaping a greener design landscape.

The exhibition will run from November 17–19, 2025, at La Galerie, Alliance Française de Dhaka (26 Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi). Visitors can explore the showcase during regular gallery hours, Monday to Saturday, from 3pm to 9pm.​

 

[Saif]

Newborn bank's BB account opens before licensing

Government authorities are going great guns to operationalise the newborn Sammilito Islami Bank in state sector as its account is opened with the central bank well before licensing, sources say. The new shariah-based bank is born out of the merger of five liquidity-crisis-ridden Islamic ba

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Chinese investors can help transform Bangladesh into manufacturing hub: Prof Yunus
China plans major investment in jute-based manufacturing in Bangladesh, says China Exim Bank VP

Published :
Nov 28, 2025 12:56
Updated :
Nov 28, 2025 13:09

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has welcomed China’s interest in Bangladesh’s manufacturing sectors, noting that investors from the world’s second-largest economy could help transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub producing goods for export to developed nations, including China.

“We can go full speed in these areas,” Prof Yunus said during a meeting with Vice-President of the Export-Import Bank of China Yang Dongning on Thursday, identifying pharmaceuticals and healthcare as additional sectors with strong potential for Chinese investment.

He said China, the world’s largest producer of solar energy, could play a significant role in supporting Bangladesh’s transition to green energy through investments in solar panels and rooftop solar systems.

The chief adviser also encouraged China to relocate manufacturing plants to Bangladesh, highlighting the potential of the country’s large pool of young workers, UNB reported on Friday, citing the chief adviser’s press wing.

He suggested that closed state-run jute mills could be repurposed for new joint ventures.

“This is a very important dimension. We welcome this. We want to translate these into actions,” Prof Yunus said, referring to Chinese interest in jute-based manufacturing.

Vice-President of the Export-Import Bank of China Yang Dongning said Chinese investors are eager to invest in Bangladesh’s green technology, jute, textiles, and pharmaceuticals as part of efforts to support the manufacturing transformation envisioned by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The visiting Exim Bank vice-president met with the Chief Adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

She was accompanied by Dr Ma Jun, President of the state-run Institute of Finance and Sustainability.

Yang Dongning said that while China has long invested heavily in Bangladesh’s major infrastructure projects, its investors are now increasingly focused on key manufacturing sectors.

These include rooftop solar panels and large-scale investments in Bangladesh’s “golden fibre,” jute—particularly for producing energy, bio-fertiliser, and plastic alternatives.

She added that Chinese enterprises and the Exim Bank, which has previously financed major infrastructure initiatives in Bangladesh, are interested in funding these direct manufacturing investments as well.

Dr Ma Jun said Bangladesh’s traditional jute industry is a major area of interest for Chinese investors, who are looking to establish joint ventures with Bangladeshi counterparts.

He said Chinese firms are prepared to use up to one million tonnes of jute to produce green energy, fertilisers, and viable substitutes for plastics.

“There are opportunities for joint ventures in jute with Chinese financing,” Dr Ma said.

Yang Dongning added that Chinese companies are also exploring investments in AI and e-commerce, areas in which China has emerged as a global leader.

In response, the chief adviser invited Chinese firms to relocate factories to southeastern Bangladesh, which hosts the country’s largest seaports and offers strategic proximity to Myanmar, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian markets.

“This part of the country has enormous access to the sea. Chinese industries could be relocated here — they can produce goods and export them to rich nations as well as to China,” he said.

Professor Yunus also urged Chinese infrastructure companies to build railway links connecting Bangladesh with southern China to facilitate exports from relocated manufacturing plants alongside regional connectivity.

At the start of the meeting, the chief adviser expressed deep condolences following the deaths of scores of people in a fire incident in an apartment block in Hong Kong.

Senior Secretary and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen were also present at the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

Misguided, emotion-driven decisions affected jute industry in the past: Adviser

Commerce, Textile and Jute and Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin said that no misguided or emotion-driven decisions will be made in the textile sector, noting that such decisions had affected the jute industry in the past. "We aim to achieve the export target of USD 100 billion t

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Misguided, emotion-driven decisions affected jute industry in the past: Adviser

BSS
Published :
Dec 05, 2025 20:07
Updated :
Dec 05, 2025 20:07

Commerce, Textile and Jute and Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin said that no misguided or emotion-driven decisions will be made in the textile sector, noting that such decisions had affected the jute industry in the past.

"We aim to achieve the export target of USD 100 billion through realistic and practical measures, not through emotions. To reach this goal, coordination among industry, academia, and policy support is essential," he said.

He made the remarks on Thursday while addressing a seminar as the chief guest at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) in Dhaka, marking National Textile Day 2025.

The seminar was held under the theme, "Resilience and Reinvention: Creating Skilled Professionals for the Textile and Apparel Sector of Bangladesh."

Bashir Uddin said the textile sector is a commodity-based industry, with raw materials accounting for nearly 80 per cent of production costs.

"The remaining 20 per cent is where profits must be earned. There is no alternative to efficiency. If we fail to enhance skills, the entire industry will lag behind," he added.

Highlighting the gap between textile education and industry requirements, he said, "Textile education is fully functional in nature, but without strong links between academia and industry, students struggle to demonstrate competency in the workplace."

He also emphasized the country's human resource potential, saying, "The Middle East has crude oil, and we have 180 million people. If we can refine this vast human resource through skill development, we can achieve the peak of prosperity."

The seminar was presided over by Textile and Jute Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi. Textile Directorate Director General Md. Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome speech, while Dr. Mohammad Abbas Uddin, Associate Professor at Bangladesh University of Textiles, presented the keynote paper.

Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi said the government has undertaken multifaceted initiatives to produce skilled and future-ready manpower for the textile sector. "The ministry will take further steps to address the issues raised in the seminar," she added.

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Shawkat Aziz Russell, Additional Secretaries Arifur Rahman Khan and Subrata Shikder, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation Chairman Brigadier General Md. Kabir Uddin Sikder, Bangladesh Handloom Board Chairman Abu Ahmed Siddiqi, JDPC Managing Director Md. Zahid Hossain, senior ministry officials and industry leaders attended the event.​

 

[Saif]

Jute goods exports show signs of recovery after four-year slump

Jute goods exports have started to recover after four years of consistent decline, as demand for the once golden fibre in major markets has increased, raising hopes among millers of a sustained rebound.

www.thedailystar.net

Jute goods exports show signs of recovery after four-year slump

Jute goods exports have started to recover after four years of consistent decline, as demand for the once golden fibre in major markets has increased, raising hopes among millers of a sustained rebound.

Bangladesh recorded 1.36 percent year-on-year growth, reaching $346 million in exports during the July-November period of the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, according to Export Promotion Bureau.

Exporters said the recovery in demand in Turkey, the key market for jute yarn, along with the prospect of interest rate cuts by major economies, easing tensions in the Middle East, and ongoing talks to end the Russia-Ukraine war, has created optimism about economic prospects.

Recovery began in July, following an overall export decline of 4 percent in FY2024-25, after a consistent drop in shipments from a historic high of $1.16 billion in FY2020-21.

"We see increased orders from Turkey and some other countries. This has created hopes of revival," said Tapash Pramanik, chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA), the trade body of yarn producers.

Millers said the sector suffered from sluggishness due to the continued decline in exports.

"There had been frustration among millers in the sector. It was difficult to sell jute goods," Pramanik said. "Now we see improvement in sales of hessian, sacking and yarn."

Between FY2021 and FY2025, the jute industry, built on locally produced natural fibre, lost 29 percent of exports, as many buyers switched to synthetic and regenerated cotton yarn due to high domestic prices of the fibre.

Industry stakeholders said demand for jute yarn began to decline after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, when prices of locally grown raw jute shot up to Tk 5,500-Tk 6,000 per maund (around 37 kilogrammes).

This year, jute prices are Tk 4,200-Tk 4,300 per maund and have remained stable after the government in September restricted raw jute exports to contain prices that had risen owing to a fall in production.

"Because of the export restriction, we have been able to export jute goods at almost stable prices. On the other hand, as prices are high in India, exports from there have reduced," said Helal Ahmed, deputy managing director of AkijBashir Group, one of the leading jute exporters.

He added that the imposition of a 50 percent reciprocal tariff on India's exports by the United States created scope for local jute goods manufacturers to expand in the American market.

"Shipment of various types of fabric has increased in the US," he said.

With Turkey being the major buyer of carpet yarn and rope twine, the Netherlands, Italy, China, India, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Tanzania, Sudan and countries in the Middle East have also been major buyers.

"There is demand for potato bags, hessian bags, linoleum cloth, nursery cloth and diversified yarn/twine in mini spools and balls for decorative and gardening purposes in the European Union and the United Kingdom," he said.

"We expect the current trend to continue," Ahmed added. BJSA Chairman Pramanik said monthly average exports were 40,000 tonnes last year, and the volume of shipments is expected to rise this year.

Abdul Barik Khan, secretary general of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA), said exports are growing in some new markets and called for government policy support to facilitate further growth.

"Low-cost loans and incentives to explore new markets will be helpful," he said.

Pramanik added that the interest rate on loans is very high up to 15.5 percent.

"It is difficult to conduct business while paying such high interest on loans," he said.

"The government should engage with us and provide policy support so that we can increase exports."​