Advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Textiles and Jute Sheikh Bashiruddin has told entrepreneurs that aesthetics and practical utility should be given priority to create a platform for jute products to enter the domestic and international markets.
He said this as the chief guest at the inauguration of a bootcamp on sustainable market entry for jute-based small and medium enterprises at the Jute Diversification Promotion Center in the capital’s Farmgate this Tuesday (September 9, 2025) morning.
The advisor said that it will not be possible to go far with jute products by only making flowers and fruits. If you make aesthetic things like flowers and fruits, people are happy to see them but do not buy the products. If you want to move forward through jute products, you have to make things that people buy and that have practical uses.
Stating that the government is working to create local and international market access, he said, training entrepreneurs is part of that effort. We initially had an initiative to bring 3 million jute bags to the market, then we increased it to 1 crore. We have also provided the funds to provide a 30 to 40 percent subsidy for marketing these bags. But the efforts of the entrepreneurs did not seem very satisfactory. They spent 4/5 months to complete a tender process, which is not satisfactory.
He also said that in order to sell a product, entrepreneurs have to take into account three important aspects about that product. First, the practical aspect of the product should be given importance, secondly, ensuring its aesthetics and above all, its market access capacity should be taken into account.
Director General of the Jute Diversification Promotion Center Md. Zahid Hossain, Joint Secretary of the WTO Division of the Ministry of Commerce Shayla Yasmin, Global Strategist Tara Malhare and Project Coordinator of the International Trade Center Dak Dang Bruce spoke at the event.
One hundred and five small and medium entrepreneurs working with jute products are being trained in this three-day training workshop.
