Leading tea estates, companies and persons were honoured on Saturday in different categories on the occasion of National Tea Day-2026 in recognition of their outstanding contributions to Bangladesh's tea industry.
The awards were conferred for their achievements in increasing tea production, improving quality standards, innovative marketing, workers' welfare and the production of nutritious tea blends.
The names of the award winners were announced and certificates and crests were handed over at the 6th National Tea Day programme held at the Multipurpose Hall in Sreemangal, known as the country's tea capital, said a PID handout.
Sri Gobindapur Tea Estate was selected as the highest tea-producing estate per acre, while Madhupur Tea Estate received recognition for producing the highest-quality tea; and the Consolidated Tea and Lands Company (Bangladesh) Limited won the award for the best tea exporter.
Matiar Rahman of Sonapatila village at Atwari upazila in Panchagarh was selected as the best small-scale tea producer; Mirzapur Tea Estate received the award for its special contribution to workers' welfare; Kazi & Kazi Tea Estate Limited earned two separate awards for innovative marketing of tea products and for marketing nutritious and high-quality tea blends.
Jesmin Oraon of Nepucha Tea Estate was recognised as the best tea leaf picker in the workers' category; and Sristi Tea Limited, located in Jagdal area of Panchagarh Sadar upazila, was selected as the best bottled tea factory.
Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by local lawmaker Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury through the release of balloons and festoons.
Addressing the event, the ruling party lawmaker said tea is not merely a beverage but an integral part of Bangladesh's history, economy and the livelihoods of millions of people.
He said Bangladesh currently has more than 160 tea estates and numerous small tea gardens that are making significant contributions to the national economy.
“Meeting domestic demand, Bangladeshi tea is being exported to various countries around the world, which is a matter of pride for the nation," said Mujibur Rahman, elected from Moulvibazar-4 (Sreemangal and Kamalganj upazilas).
Referring to Sreemangal's tourism potential, he said Sreemangal is not only the heart of the country's tea industry but also one of Bangladesh's most promising tourist destinations.
He said there is immense potential to develop world-class "tea tourism" centring on its green tea gardens, haors, streams, national parks and the diverse culture of indigenous communities.
To unlock the potential, the BNP lawmaker proposed the government to form a 'Sreemangal Tourism Development Authority'.
Speaking as the chair of the event, Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan said the government is sincere and committed to ensuring the sustainable development of the tea industry and improving the living standards of tea workers.
Bangladesh Tea Board Chairman Major General Md Mesbah Uddin Ahmed, in his welcome address, said all activities and licensing systems of the Tea Board have been digitised to modernise the tea industry.
Later, the guests visited different stalls at the fair organised to mark the day and exchanged views with buyers and sellers on tea production and market management.