Manufacturing need-based jute products

The closure of 19 jute and spinning mills in the country in the last eight months, as reported by the FE, comes as a shock to the cause of the golden fibre.  This is attributed to falling demand overseas for its products. So far 16 jute spinning mills, out of a total of 95, and three jute mills, out of a total of 130, were forced to stop their production because of financial difficulties caused by a sharp drop in sales. The news comes when Bangladesh continues to make headway in its exports despite various domestic shocks.  Happily, many countries of the world have continued to provide duty-and quota-free access to many items for Bangladesh to seize the marketing opportunities. But sadly, there has not yet been any concerted effort to diversify the export products as per the duty-and quota-free lists. That is exactly why the country has not succeeded much in tapping the export potential of duty-free market access that has been made available to it by many bigger economies. The European Union (EU) member-states, Australia and Canada are among them.

Unfortunately jute has been one victim of such circumstances. Those who are associated with the golden fibre are not financially strong enough to explore foreign markets nor can they diversify their products as per demands abroad due to lack of policy-support. They only need some pro-active cooperation of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the country's embassies abroad as to what they should manufacture that the overseas buyers need for their regular uses. This is despite the fact that the development partners, now emphasising more on trade than aid, have, time and again, assured the country of their technical assistance for both diversification and exploration of products and their markets.

When it comes to jute, only jute bags and sacks come to the picture. But it should not be what jute really is. There are many other uses of jute not yet known in Bangladesh although the country's private sector has enough potential to seize the opportunities. Neighbouring India is providing all necessary support to jute product manufacturers in the field of production, marketing and sale of products through all its showrooms spread across the country. In South India, a fair was opened recently with a range of products. A jute painting was among the major attractions of the exhibition. They first do a digital painting and then put it on a jute base. The product has been of great demand, especially in the overseas market. The company has also been doing jute paintings on various themes and has even ventured into jute portrait paintings. Another start-up that was featured at the fair had come up with little organic bags that can be used to replace plastic bags to keep food products in the fridge.  

Innovation is the key. Entrepreneurs need to have an ear for the demands of the customers. For instance, when people were asked why they used so much plastic, a majority of them said it was for storing vegetables and fruits in the fridge. That is how they came up with the idea. A range of utility products including jute clocks, jute mirrors, jute storage bags, jute ornaments, pencil stands and a wide variety of fashion bags and clutches could be in high demand. One of the major highlights at the fair was the jute laptop bag, which has been ordered in bulk by major companies and universities.  Dissemination of vital info to jute mills owners and growers as to what they should do to get better prices brooks no delay. They need such assistance and they will surely march forward as others have done in cases with readymade garments and frozen foods.  

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