Rizwana urges wider use of jute to reduce polythene dependence

Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today (17 November) underscored the urgency of shifting consumer habits towards eco-friendly jute Rizwana products to curb the country's reliance on polythene bags.

"We must move towards sustainable, environment-friendly jute products and gradually reduce dependence on polythene bags," she said while inaugurating an exhibition titled "The Soul of Jute" at La Galerie of the Alliance Francaise de Dhaka as the chief guest.

The Alliance Francaise de Dhaka, Travel Magazine VROMON and the Jute Diversification Promotion Center PLC (JDPC) under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Government of Bangladesh, jointly organized the exhibition to celebrate the country's golden fiber through design, craftsmanship and sustainable innovation.

Adviser to the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Commerce and Textiles and Jute Sk Bashir Uddin and Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute Bilquis Jahan Rimi also spoke at the event as the special guests.

Highlighting the significance of jute cultivation, Rizwana said decades of policy neglect discouraged farmers from cultivating jute, affecting the entire value chain.

"Without ensuring farmers' interest, sustainable growth of jute-based products will not be possible," she added.

Citing her recent visit to Switzerland, she noted that Bangladeshi jute bags are being used in foreign supermarkets while polythene use remains widespread at home (Bangladesh). 

She called for a "national stance" against polythene use, noting that recycling alone cannot address the problem.

Rizwana said the Textiles and Jute Ministry and the Environment Ministry are jointly working to increase production and supply of jute bags. 

She also stressed consumer responsibility, saying simple behavioral changes can significantly reduce plastic pollution.

She noted that mandatory jute-packaging laws were not implemented properly in the past but relevant agencies have now begun enforcement efforts in this regard.

The adviser expressed hope that the exhibition will help promote sustainable consumption and restore confidence in locally produced jute goods.

Speaking on the occasion, Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin called for strengthening the jute sector through innovation and coordinated government support.

He said jute is an environment-friendly resource with strong potential in packaging and other value-added markets.

The adviser thanked Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan for providing climate funds to promote jute products such as jute bags, noting that the initiative has created an important foundation.

About the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC), he said JDPC needs to intensify its efforts to support its over 1,000 small entrepreneurs.

Recent measures-including transforming JDPC into a PLC company and arranging international training-will help enhance the organisation's overall capacity, he added.

Bashir Uddin urged entrepreneurs in jute sector to adopt modern business models and prioritise design innovation to expand into global markets.

"The government will continue to extend all necessary support in this regard," he said.