PM for diversifying tea products to tap global market

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina put emphasis on Sunday on diversified production of tea-based items alongside maintaining the standard to grab the international market in a greater way, reports UNB.

"There's a scope of diversified use of tea leaves...we can do that to put our tea products in the world market on a strong base," she said.

The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the three-day Bangladesh Tea Expo 2018 arranged at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital, aiming to expand the tea market and promote tea products as well as boost production with newer varieties.

Currently, she said, various types of tea are available in the market. "Gradually, we've to go for its diversified production to maintain our position in the world arena."

Sheikh Hasina said soap, shampoo, lotion and such other items produced from tea leaves are gaining popularity in the world market. "Taking greener leaves for the tea, we can use the older ones for this purpose. There's ample scope for the diversified use of the tea leaves."

She mentioned that pickles can be made from tea leaves, too.

In the world market, the PM said, various kinds of tea like lemon tea, masala tea, ginger tea and tulsi tea are popular. "Bangladesh can produce such tea as well."

Talking about the pesticide-less tea production, she said such tea has drawn the attention of consumers and it has a huge demand in the world market.

Hasina, however, stressed attractive packaging of tea to attract more consumers in the international market. "This can be useful for all to get more consumers abroad."

The Prime Minister asked the Tea Research Institute to enhance the quality and production of tea by inventing newer varieties of tea through their research work.

She also called on tea garden owners to pay special attention to the welfare of their workers, and asked the workers to be sincere about doing their work.

Commerce Secretary Shubhashish Bose and Bangladeshiyo Cha Sangsad (Tea Association of Bangladesh) chairman Ardashir Kabir and M M Ispahani Limited chairman Mirza Salman Ispahani, among others, also spoke at the programme.

Bangladesh Tea Board Chairman Major General Md Shafeenul Islam delivered the welcome address.

The Ministry of Commerce and the Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB) are jointly organizing the expo.

A new variety of tea named 'BT21' was unveiled by the Prime Minister at the beginning of the inaugural ceremony.

She also laid the foundation stone of the 30-storey Bangabandhu Cha Bhaban to be constructed at Motijheel at a cost of over Tk 2.30 billion (230.97 crore).

The Prime Minister distributed awards among the winners of the best tea garden based on worker welfare, production capacity, tea quality, best packaging, diversification of tea marketing as well as the best small tea producer.

A seminar, titled 'Career Prospects in Tea Sector', will be held on the second day and another titled 'Diversification of Tea in Bangladesh' on the concluding day.

According to an FE Report, a total of 40 organisations are displaying their products at different stalls and pavilions of the expo.

Top tea producers of the country including Ispahani, Finley's, Seylon, Duncan Brothers, Kazi and Kazi Tea, Bengal Classic Tea and Jafflong Tea are displaying a wide range of tea and tea products at the expo.

Talking to the FE, MM Ispahani Ltd senior manager (marketing) SM Didarul Hasan said Ispahani participated in the expo to directly interact with the customers and display various products, including new ones.

The expo is also a good platform for exploring the potential of the sector by understanding customer behaviour, he added.

However, Mr Hasan also noted that his company received the "best packaging award" from the Prime Minister for its brand new product Ispahani Blender's Choice bag-in-bag tea bag.

Visitors will be able to attend the seminars by registering online. The expo will remain open from 11am to 11:30pm for the next two days.

[email protected]