Bashir calls for prioritising aesthetics, practical utility of jute products
The government is working to create both local and international market access, he says
Textiles and Jute Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has urged the entrepreneurs to give priority to aesthetics and practical utility in order to create opportunities for jute products to enter domestic and international markets.
Speaking at the inauguration of a boot camp on sustainable market access for jute-based small and medium enterprises, Bashir said, ""It's not possible to go far by only making flowers and fruits with jute. When you make such decorative items, people enjoy looking at them but they don't buy them."
The event was held at the Jute Diversification Promotion Center (JDPC) in the capital's Farmgate area.
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"To move forward with jute products, we must make things that people actually buy-things that serve a practical purpose," said the adviser.
Mentioning that the government is working to create both local and international market access, he said that training for entrepreneurs is part of that effort.
"Initially, we took the initiative to introduce 30 lakh jute bags into the market, which we later expanded to one crore. We are providing a 30-40 percent subsidy for marketing these bags, and we have allocated funds for that. But, the efforts from entrepreneurs have not been very satisfactory. Completing a tender process has taken them 4-5 months, which is not satisfactory," he added.
Bashir further said that in order to sell products, entrepreneurs must consider three important aspects: first, the practical usability of the product; second, ensuring its aesthetic appeal; and finally, evaluating its market access capacity.
Director General of the Jute Diversification Promotion Center Md. Zahid Hossain, Joint Secretary of the WTO Cell of the Ministry of Commerce Shayla Yasmin, global strategist Tara Malhare, and International Trade Center project coordinator Dr. Dang Bruce also spoke at the event.
A total of 105 small and medium entrepreneurs working with jute products are receiving training in this three-day workshop.
