Visiting the fair venue, this correspondent found that a number of pavilions and stalls are showcasing diversified jute goods with colourful designs to attract people.
The array of products includes bags, purses, folders, tablemats, prayer mats, doormats, penholders, jute houses, bedside mats, rugs and room dividers.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh’s export earnings from jute and jute goods increased 21.55 percent to 511.73 million in July-December period of the current fiscal year, which was 421.02 million during the corresponding period of the last financial year.
Talking to UNB, jute goods exhibitors expressed their satisfaction over a good response from buyers.
Mohammad Abdul Jalil, sales team leader of Rangpur-based brand Shatoranji of Karupannyo Rangpur Limited, said they brought many jute products at the fair getting good response from buyers.
“As jute-made products are environment-friendly, their demand is on the rise to both local and international buyers. We’ve brought many diversified goods made of jute this year. We’re also offering ‘buy one get one’ package for some jute products,” he said.
Customers, mostly the young one, appear to be more interested in jute-made items, Jalil said.
Dr SM Jahangir Alam, chairman of Swadesh Freedom Fighters Cooperatives Society Ltd, said they brought several jute items with the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the mega event marking his birth centenary.
“We brought jute-made T-shirts, bags, Mujib Coat, cap, neck-cloth and school bags at the fair for the first time. We’re getting a good response from buyers,” he said.
Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) of the Textiles and Jute Ministry has allotted space for jute goods manufacturers at the fair like previous years.
Sheema Bose Adhara, director of JDPC, said they set up a pavilion where 25 stalls are displaying a wide range of jute goods.
“Many jute products like bags, shoes, carpets, doormats, baskets, clothes, hats, key rings, wallets, tissue boxes and other household products have been put on display to encourage buyers to purchase the environment-friendly items,” she added.
Asked about the prices of jute products, Prakritik sales executive Ferdous said they are selling items at different rates that range from Tk 40 to Tk 1,000. “We are selling jute bags for Tk 500, glass covers Tk 40 and purses for Tk 150-200 per piece. Jute sandals cost Tk 250-500 a pair while key rings Tk 60-70 apiece.”
Fatema Akter, a student of Jagannath University, said she visited the fair venue with her friends on Sunday afternoon and bought a tissue box and a bag made of jute at Tk 600. “I buy jute products sometimes as these are environment-friendly. Everyone should use jute goods instead of plastic items. We have to be aware right now to save our environment.”