The challenges facing the textile and jute industries must be identified and addressed with practical measures to increase production and create jobs, Md Shariful Alam, state minister for textiles and jute, said on Thursday.
He made the remarks during visits to state-owned industrial units (Amin Jute Mills Ltd and Asiatic Cotton Mills Ltd) in Chattogram, where he reviewed their overall operations, infrastructure, production capacity and scope for development.
“Jute is Bangladesh’s traditional cash crop. As an eco-friendly natural fibre, it holds a special place in the global market,” he said.
He added that the textile sector also plays a vital role in industrialisation, export earnings and job creation.
He said, reopening closed textile, jute and textile mills was one of the government’s key election pledges. The government is prioritising industrial development, job creation and the expansion of economic activities to fulfil this commitment.
Both sectors have significant potential that needs to be tapped by strengthening local industries and helping them compete in the market.
“Bangladesh’s textile and jute industries have a long history and huge potential. To realise this potential, we must make proper use of the infrastructure, workforce and production capacity of existing mills,” Shariful said.
He stressed the need to adopt modern technology, improve production systems and use existing resources efficiently to develop the industries.
Assessing the actual condition of the mills and taking appropriate steps could also speed up their development, he added.
The state minister said one of the government’s main goals was to make proper use of state-owned industrial assets, expand production and create new jobs.
Regarding Amin Jute Mills in Chattogram, Shariful Alam said, the government was seriously considering how to restore the mill’s production, generate employment opportunities through its operations and ensure its contribution to the national economy.
He stressed that industrial facilities should not be viewed merely as physical infrastructure but should be transformed into active centres of production, employment and economic growth.
To this end, the potential for reopening the mills needs to be assessed based on existing facilities, production capacity and realistic plans, he said.
Among those present during the visits were Brig Gen Md Kabir Uddin Sikder, chairman of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation, and Brig Gen SM Zahid Hassan, chairman of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation, along with other officials concerned.