Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, said that expanding the country’s jute-based industry, culture, tourism, and innovation is essential for environmental protection.
Alongside innovating new eco-friendly and practical jute products, the aesthetic use of jute in modern homes and workplaces must be enhanced. Increasing the creative presentation of jute in decorative arts is also a demand of the time, the adviser observed.
She said the diversified use of jute can significantly contribute to employment, the economy, and the growth of local industries.
Rizwana made these remarks while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the three-day exhibition titled “The Soul of Jute: Craft, Culture, Tourism and Innovation” (17–19 November), held at Alliance Française de Dhaka on Monday.
The adviser said that the government is working to encourage farmers to cultivate jute and expand the market for jute products.
She emphasised the need for providing incentives to jute farmers and highlighted that the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Jute are jointly working to promote jute bags as an alternative to polythene shopping bags.
Rizwana noted that although jute bags from Bangladesh are being used in shopping malls in developed countries including Switzerland, their use in the domestic market has yet to reach the expected level, urging consumers to take responsibility by choosing jute bags over polythene.
