[🇧🇩] Jute Industry in Bangladesh

[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...

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‘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.​

 

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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."​

 

[Saif]

Reviving Bangladesh's jute industry involves government mandates for jute packaging, modernizing state-owned mills through private management and investment, diversifying products into high-value items (composites, PPE), improving farmer support with funds and subsidies, and leveraging global demand for sustainable materials to boost exports, focusing on innovation and market expansion for eco-friendly jute goods.

Government Initiatives & Policy:​

• Mandatory Jute Packaging: Enforcing the Jute Packaging Act, 2010 nationwide for markets and stores to create domestic demand.​
• Mill Revitalization: Reviving closed state-owned mills (BJMC) through leasing to private management, attracting foreign investment, and integrating workers.​
• Financial Support: Creating development funds (JSDF) and providing low-interest loans and cash assistance to entrepreneurs and mills.​
• Research & Development: Supporting innovation and diversification of jute products, though translating research into industrial use needs improvement.​

Industry & Market Strategies:​

• Product Diversification: Moving beyond traditional sacking into high-value applications like PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), composites, and luxury items.​
• Market Expansion: Tapping into growing global demand for eco-friendly products in Europe, North America, and China.​
• Digital Marketing & Branding: Enhancing branding, e-commerce, and digital presence to reach more buyers.​

Challenges & Solutions:​

• Plastic Competition: Jute must compete with cheaper plastic alternatives.​
• Export Inefficiencies & Branding: Addressing issues with quality control, branding, and logistics to meet international standards.​
• Private Sector Engagement: Encouraging private industrialists to invest in new jute technologies and products.​

Signs of Revival:​

• Early signs of export recovery with increased shipments to key markets like Turkey.​
• Increased government focus and commitment, aligning with global trends for sustainable fibers.​

 

[Saif]

Jute sector losing edge due to high costs, old technology

Bangladesh’s jute industry is losing global competitiveness as outdated machinery, low productivity and high energy costs keep production expensive, while rival countries have modernised and achieved better cost efficiency, said Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) Chairman Tapash Pramanik.

www.thedailystar.net

Jute sector losing edge due to high costs, old technology
Says chairman of jute spinners’ association

Bangladesh's jute industry is losing global competitiveness as outdated machinery, low productivity and high energy costs keep production expensive, while rival countries have modernised and achieved better cost efficiency, said Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) Chairman Tapash Pramanik.


Speaking to The Daily Star in a recent interview, he said the sector remains heavily dependent on traditional products such as yarn, hessian and sacks, even as global demand has shifted towards diversified, value-added and blended eco-friendly goods.

Tapash Pramanik

"Bangladesh has lagged in research and development, design development and the commercialisation of new jute-based products," he noted.

Jute used to be one of the most prominent products of this region. Its high economic value and importance as a cash crop once earned it the moniker of the "golden fibre". But over the decades, it has lost its glory.


"The sector is largely treated as a legacy industry to be protected, not as a modern agro-industrial value chain to be rebuilt," Pramanik said.

Noting that the sector has environmental advantages, he said it has nevertheless failed to regain its former prominence due to structural, policy-driven and market-oriented challenges, while most government initiatives have been fragmented rather than transformative.

He pointed out the stark difference in policy support for the readymade garments (RMG) industry, the current crown jewel of Bangladesh's export economy, and the jute industry.


He pointed out that RMG benefited from predictable incentives, modern machinery, high productivity, export-focused strategies, access to low-cost finance and continuous R&D, enabling rapid global integration and higher margins.

In contrast, he said the jute sector remained dependent on bulk, low-value products, suffered from outdated technology, financial constraints, weak institutional support and limited innovation, leaving it stagnant in exports and unable to capture emerging global opportunities.

Policy failures played the most decisive role in holding back the sector, according to the BJSA chairman. "Weak and inconsistent policies discouraged long-term investment in modernisation and reinforced both technological stagnation and managerial inefficiency."

He also identified limited financial incentives and poor enforcement of laws, such as mandatory jute packaging, which undermined market confidence and demand.

State dominance without meaningful reform also allowed inefficient public sector mills to continue operating without accountability, he added.

At present, according to Pramanik, the most serious concern for the sector is high production costs, driven by obsolete machinery, low labour productivity, high energy prices and expensive financing. "These factors make jute products less competitive than synthetic alternatives and other natural fibres."

Limited access to affordable finance has further restricted modernisation, as mills struggle to secure low-interest, long-term loans.

Technological stagnation remains widespread, resulting in low efficiency, high wastage and inconsistent quality, he added.

Weak product diversification is another major challenge.

Despite growing global demand for diversified and lifestyle-oriented jute products, exports remain dominated by traditional, low-value items.

"Inconsistent policy support and weak enforcement create uncertainty for investors and exporters," Pramanik said.

Quality control issues, logistics bottlenecks, and the absence of strong global branding and effective trade diplomacy continue to erode Bangladesh's position in the international jute market, he added.

To overcome these challenges, Pramanik said the sector requires a coordinated approach in which the government acts as an enabler while private enterprises function as market drivers.

The government, he said, should provide stable, long-term policy support by recognising jute as a strategic export sector and strictly enforcing existing jute laws to stabilise domestic and export demand.

It should also offer affordable financing through low-interest working capital facilities and technology upgradation funds, while reforming sector institutions to improve accountability and ensure industry-oriented research and development (R&D).

Support for product diversification, quality certification and international branding, backed by active trade diplomacy, is equally essential, he also said.

Private enterprises, on the other hand, should prioritise modernising production, improving efficiency and shifting away from low-value commodity exports.

He added that effective public–private coordination through a joint sector platform is necessary to align policy, finance and market strategies for sustainable transformation.

For more than a decade, export earnings from jute and jute goods have stagnated between $900 million and $1 billion.

Breaking this deadlock, Pramanik said, will require deep structural reforms rather than short-term incentives.

The sector must move from volume-based, low-margin exports to value-based, diversified products with higher unit returns, he said.

A sector-wide technology and productivity reset is a must, including the creation of a dedicated jute technology upgradation fund and the phased replacement of obsolete machinery, said Pramanik, also the managing director of Teamex Jute Mills Ltd.

Financial reforms are also needed to treat jute as a priority export industry, offering single-digit interest loans and export-linked credit facilities.

Strengthening applied R&D, certification, and product innovation will help capture premium markets, he added.

"Proactive trade diplomacy and global branding of 'Bangladeshi Jute' as a sustainable product are necessary to expand markets and improve pricing power," Pramanik said.

Climate change poses an additional risk by affecting jute yields, fibre quality and cultivable areas.

Addressing this will require climate-resilient jute varieties, improved agronomic practices, diversified cultivation zones and crop insurance, Pramanik said.

Looking ahead, Pramanik said the industry should adopt an export-led strategy, engage directly with global buyers, ensure compliance, professionalise management and invest in innovation and R&D.

Key opportunities include eco-friendly packaging, partnerships with global brands for certified jute bags and wraps, lifestyle and home décor products such as rugs, mats and furniture, and technical textiles including geotextiles and automotive composites.

Agricultural and environmental applications, such as erosion control mats, also offer potential demand from NGOs and government projects, he said.

Bangladesh's strengths in the global jute market include abundant high-quality raw jute, an established production base, low-cost labour and a strong sustainability image.​

 

[Saif]

Jute spinners demand suspension of raw jute exports amid supply crisis

Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) on Sunday urged the government to completely suspend raw jute exports, warning that continued exports amid declining production and soaring prices could severely damage the country’s jute industry. The demand was formally placed through an applicat

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Jute spinners demand suspension of raw jute exports amid supply crisis

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jan 04, 2026 20:20
Updated :
Jan 04, 2026 20:20

Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA) on Sunday urged the government to completely suspend raw jute exports, warning that continued exports amid declining production and soaring prices could severely damage the country’s jute industry.


The demand was formally placed through an application submitted on January 1 to the commerce and textiles and jute ministries.

On Sunday, a delegation of the association met with commerce and textiles adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin to reiterate their concerns.

According to the association, raw jute production declined in the last season due to natural disasters and other adverse factors.

Although the government allowed conditional exports of raw jute through a gazette notification in September, the move has once again led to supply shortages and sharp price hikes in the domestic market.

Industry insiders said the price of raw jute has recently surged to Tk 4,700–5,000 per maund, making it increasingly difficult for jute mills to procure adequate raw materials. As a result, many mills are struggling to maintain production, and some are at risk of closure, they warned.

BJSA Chairman Tapas Pramanik alleged that the export opportunity and rising prices have encouraged illegal hoarding of raw jute, creating market instability.

He said farmers are not benefiting from the price increase, while hoarders are making excessive profits.

“If raw jute exports and illegal stockpiling are not stopped immediately, genuine farmers and jute-based industries will suffer badly,” he said, adding that a large amount of undisclosed money has reportedly been invested in jute hoarding.

He also cautioned that escalating production costs are making Bangladeshi jute products uncompetitive in the international market, forcing foreign buyers to look for alternative products.

Regaining lost export markets in the future would be extremely difficult, he added.

In response, Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin assured the delegation that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy against illegal jute hoarding.

He said legal action would soon be taken in four major jute-producing districts to curb stockpiling.

The adviser also said the government would review the demand for a complete suspension of raw jute exports.

Addressing concerns over jute seed shortages, he said that steps have already been taken to ensure the availability of quality seeds in the current season.​