---

The government has launched a joint initiative to revive Bangladesh’s jute sector through stronger economic diplomacy, export promotion and market diversification, announcing the formation of a Joint Working Group (JWG) and plans to organise an international jute expo.

The decisions were taken at a coordination meeting in Dhaka on Tuesday, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam announced the initiatives, aimed at restoring the global prominence of Bangladesh’s “golden fibre”.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials, representatives from the Department of Jute, industry leaders, research institutions and development partners.

Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions abroad would play a more active role in promoting jute and jute products and identifying new export opportunities. She also stressed the need to organise national and international exhibitions to strengthen the sector’s global presence.

Shariful Alam underscored the importance of close coordination between the two ministries and the private sector to enhance jute production, processing, value addition and market diversification.

Under the new initiative, the proposed Joint Working Group will prepare a national roadmap for jute exhibitions, identify and address trade barriers, facilitate the establishment of jute research centres, promote the adoption of modern technologies and monitor the modernisation of jute mills.

The proposed International Jute Expo will bring together domestic and foreign buyers, researchers and investors to showcase Bangladeshi jute products and expand export opportunities.

The meeting also discussed establishing dedicated jute display centres and gift shops at international airports to promote locally made jute products among foreign visitors.

Participants also emphasised the early implementation of a project to introduce jute-made school bags for primary school students to boost domestic use of environmentally friendly products.

Another priority is achieving self-sufficiency in jute seed production within the next three years by reducing reliance on imports through expanded domestic production.

The two ministries reaffirmed their commitment to modernising the jute sector, ensuring fair prices for farmers and strengthening Bangladesh’s position as a global supplier of sustainable and climate-friendly jute products.