Jute millers urge low cost funds to set up new factories, diversify products

Bangladesh jute millers to establish new factories and diversify products to cater to both the local and export markets want the government to guarantee low cost finance. They also said that formation of such fund in the local currency would be instrumental to the sector’s growth.

The jute millers’ appeal comes at a time when the government is enforcing a rule to pack a number of commodities, including rice, wheat and maize, in jute sacks to promote the use of environmentally friendly products and increase the domestic use of jute.

The government is also taking steps to modernize and diversify jute products to restore the past glory of jute, once the biggest export earner. It also observed March 6 as Jute Day for the first time this year in order to highlight the significance of jute in the Bangladesh economy.

The textile and jute ministry also organized a fair in Dhaka on March 9-13 to showcase diversified jute goods, made from nearly 80 lakh bales of raw jute produced here annually.

About 4 crore people are directly and indirectly involved in the sector that ensures 100 percent value addition against exports, according to the ministry.

The Bangladesh Jute Mills Association, trade body with 160 members, demanded formation of a Tk 10,000 crore fund, similar to the Export Development Fund (EDF) under Bangladesh Bank.

The association said that entrepreneurs have to borrow from banks at an interest rate of 14 to 15 percent to buy raw jute during the harvest season and maintain stocks, to continue production and export. The jute mills would have been profitable if the entrepreneurs got low cost loans.

The government formed EDF in 1989 to provide low cost finance and enable export oriented sectors to buy raw materials from abroad to make exportable items. The size of the EDF, a revolving fund, is about $2.5 billion, according to a senior official of the central bank.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam said that they are taking an initiative. Such a fund will further facilitate advancement of the jute sector. They will also be discussing the matter with Bangladesh Bank next week.

The industry lobby group wants the government to form a special fund so that millers can get competitive loans to modernize their factories and replace their four to five decades-old machinery.

According to Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association, exports earnings from jute and jute goods has increase 15 percent to $646 million in July-February of fiscal 2016-17 year on year. The local mills produce 9.17 lakh tonnes of jute goods and export 8.15 lakh tonnes a year. The rest is used for internal consumption.

Recent Posts

Uncaged Innovations partners to launch leather alternative

Biomaterial company, Uncaged Innovations, has collaborated with ten independent fashion brands to launch Elevate, a new eco-friendly luxury leather alternative.

18 hours ago

Rudolf enhances digital pigment printing

Rudolf introduced the Digital Pigment Printing Toolbox, a package of pre-treatment products to improve the quality and sustainability of pigment…

18 hours ago

Aquafil Group unveils sustainable yarns

Aquafil Group, the innovator behind ECONYL regenerated nylon, has launched the ECONYL Bespoke Collection that mimic the aesthetics of natural…

18 hours ago

GTT and Golden Long John pioneer sustainable textile processes

Green Theme Technologies (GTT), has partnered with Golden Long John to advance environmentally conscious fabric dyeing and finishing processes.

2 days ago

KOLAB Collection launches NFC-tagged clothing line

KOLAB Collection, a leader in sustainable fashion, has revolutionized the industry by launching NFC-tagged clothing line as part of its…

2 days ago

Advance Denim, Lenzing, and Asahi Kasei launch sustainable stretch denim

Advance Denim, Lenzing’s, and Asahi Kasei have teamed up to launch the LoopTy Collection, a series that combines functionality, style,…

2 days ago