Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin said that the government is working to increase tea exports by meeting domestic demand. At the same time, he called for working to promote the tea industry equally not only in the country but also in the international market.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a program organized on the occasion of the Fifth National Tea Day at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday (May 21, 2025) morning.
The Trade Advisor said, we are hearing from the workers that tea is not getting a fair price. Sitting here, I did a small calculation and saw that if nine crore three million kg of tea is produced at the market price at which it is sold, roughly three thousand seven hundred to four thousand crore taka of tea is sold in the market. At the same time, if we convert it to street value, then a minimum double to triple value will be achieved. That is, an expenditure of eight to ten thousand taka is incurred at the consumer level.
He said, if we can distribute it in a balanced manner, then we can find a way to save the national asset tea from the vicious circle in which the tea industry is falling. We need to take coordinated steps to utilize the vast potential of the tea industry. There are various types of customs and tax mismanagement in the tea industry, we want to stop it. We want to bring discipline to this industry. Through this, the price of the product in the market will be stable and justice will be established.
He also said that the amount of land allocated for the tea industry needs to be used appropriately. Attention should be paid to its other uses, be it renewable energy or tourism centers. However, the main goal is to ensure the prosperity of the tea garden from tea. The combined efforts of all tea workers and owners are needed. The production cost of tea should be reduced and the selling price should be increased. To increase sales, tea products should be diversified and made attractive, he mentioned.
Bangladesh Tea Board Chairman Major General Sheikh Md. Sarwar Hossain delivered the welcome speech at the event chaired by Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. The welcome speeches were delivered by Shah Moinuddin Hasan, President of the Tea Traders Association of Bangladesh, Kamran T Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Tea Parliament, Jasmine Akhter, winner of the National Tea Award 2024, and Nripen Pal, Acting President of the Tea Workers Union.
The National Tea Award 2025 was presented in eight categories in recognition of special contributions to the country’s tea industry. In addition, two special awards were presented in the category of the highest tea producing factory this year on the occasion of National Tea Day. Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin presented certificates and crests to the award-winning organizations and individuals.
Earlier, Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin inaugurated the program of the fifth National Tea Day by releasing balloons. Later, he visited various tea stalls at the tea fair.
