KHULNA, July 6 (UNB): Jute goods export from state-owned jute mills of Khulna-Jessore industrial belt has registered a sharp fall of 38.65 percent in the just concluded fiscal compared to its preceding fiscal.
Industry insiders put the blame on lack of demand in global market, particularly the political instability in major importing countries.
According to Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), about 31,647-tonne jute goods was exported from nine state-run jute mills of the region till the first week of June in the fiscal 2013-14, against the export of 81,881-tonne in the fiscal 2012-13.
The nine jute mills are facing serious financial crisis as about 43,174-tonne of their production remains unsold.
This has created a huge uncertainty about the purchase of raw jute by the mills as well as payment of wages of their workers and employees.
Regional coordinator of BJMC, Khandaker Jahangir Nuri, said jute goods worth Tk 400 crore remains stockpiled in the mills.
He noted that political instability in major jute importing countries, including Syria, Iraq, Sudan and Egypt, has led to the fall of export from the country.
Besides, the sale of jute goods in the local market remains low due to the increase in the use of synthetic sacks, he added.
BJMC director (marketing) Babul Chandra Roy said they are trying to explore new markets for jute and jute goods in different countries to cope with the situation.
Industry insiders stressed for the implementation of the Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010 so that the demand of jute goods increases in the local market and brings some relief to the industry.
Jute mill workers stage demo
Anothr UNB report says: Workers of private jute mills blocked the Jessore-Khulna highway on three different spots for three hours on Sunday morning, demanding reopening of the closed down jute mills and payment of their dues.
Witnesses said private jute mill workers under the banner of "Besarkari Pat, Suta, Bastrakol Sangram Parishad" blocked the Jessore-Khulna highway at Shiromoni, Phulbari Gate and Mirer Dhanda areas from 9am to 12pm, creating tailbacks on both sides of the highway.
The Sangram Parishad also gave an ultimatum to the authorities till July 9 to meet their demands. They threatened to enforce tougher programmes if their demands are not met.
Meanwhile, workers of state-owned jute mills staged demonstrations in front of their mills protesting the government's move to transform Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) into a holding company.
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