Finland’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ritva Koukku Ronde has offered the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to work with the Nordic Research Council to conduct research for the development of modern technology. She made this offer during a meeting with State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office at the ministry on Wednesday. Expressing her country’s interest to expand its activities in Bangladesh, the Finnish envoy said that she believes that Finland has a good scope to work in different sectors of modern technology. Finland can work together with Bangladesh to supply modern technology, she opined.   Welcoming the offer, Nasrul Hamid said that there are huge opportunities for investment in different segments of the power and energy sector including, renewable energy, smart grid, mini-grid, wind power, and setting up charging stations in the country. READ: Finland eager to support Bangladesh’s sustainable development: Envoy Both the ambassador and the state minister discussed different issues of mutual interests during their meeting. Trade and Investment cosular of New Delhi Embassy of Finland Kimmo Siira, Economy and Commercial Matters Rai Chakrabarti were present on the occasion. 

For years the rhythmic sound of handlooms woke up the residents of Manirampur. Not now. The weavers in this western region are losing the battle to keep the craft alive. They are facing extinction. Read: Jashore's daily caseload hits new high of 469 Manirapmpur Upazila in Jshore has been a popular hub for handloom industry.  About 80,000  handloom workers live in 78 villages of its 249 villages. Many of the workers are from the Bharatpur, Paralo and Muzgunni villages. Villagers here have been used to the sounds of Pitloom and Khatkhati (traditional loom equipment). But these are now falling silent. Abdur Rauf of Paralo village had once 60 to 70 Pitlooms and Khatkhatis in his house. Now he owns only 22 pitlooms. Abdullah, who lives next door, depends on weaving for livelihood but wants to leave this profession as well. People in this profession are moving away from this craft. Read: Residents of Jashore village along 'Indiapara' worried about spread of new variant The weaving industry at Jashore's Manirumpur is almost on death bed due to labour scarcity, lack of raw materials and other challenges. Besides, people in this profession are being beaten by modern technology. “Weavers no longer can earn their living through this profession”, said Abdur Rauf . A weaver gets Tk 40 as wage for weaving a two-yard towel or gamcha.   After working the whole day, he gets Tk 150-200 only which is not enough for his family.   Read: Fed up waiting for WDB, villagers in Jashore tackle waterlogging on their own That towel gets the owner a meagre profit of Tk 2. That is why they are quitting this profession, Abdur said with a sigh.   Weavers concede they are losing competition from their counterparts of Kushtia, Sirajganj and Pabna. “Our competitors have developed the industry with modern technology. They are making traditional handlooms even miserable,” he said. Loom owners are urging the government’s to support them to save this dying traditional craft. They believe with necessary raw materials, modern equipment, training and easy-term low interest loans can rejuvenate this cottage industry. Read: Jashore dairy farmers count losses as demand falls Prof. Mohammad Babul Akhter, Central Secretary for Education and Human Resources of Bangladesh Weavers League, said in order to keep the weaving community and the weaving industry alive in Monirampur, it is necessary to provide modern training to the workers, modern equipment and easy loans to this community. If the government is sincere in this regard, the people of the weaving community will be able to survive, he said.

LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam on Sunday said modern technology will be used in the country for sewerage wastes management like the developed countries.