Cabinet approves reopening of 4 jute mills

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The government has decided to reopen four state-owned jute mills as part of its bid to revive the jute sector and create more job opportunities, reports BSS.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held at the secretariat Monday.
Chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the cabinet meeting also approved the memorandum of understanding and the mode of operation for the boarder haats to be operated along the Bangladesh-India border.
The jute mills are-Kawami Mills, Dawlatpur Mills, M M Mills and People's Mills. Besides, Rajshahi Jute Mills will be expanded with opening of a second unit.
Briefing journalists on the meeting, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the Prime Minister called for using eco-friendly jute goods while approving reopening of the jute mills.
Azad said the Prime Minister was critical of BNP-Jamaat alliance for shutting down the Adamjee Jute Mills, which caused huge loss to the economy.
According to the mode of operation of the border haats, a total of four haats (market place) will be run on weekly basis.
Bangladesh and India will have two haats on each side.
The haats on Bangladesh side will be at Baliamari of Kurigram and Lawergar in Sunamganj. Two haats on Indian side will be in Meghalaya near Bangladesh border.
People will only be allowed to trade in local produce in these haats, which include vegetables, foodstuff, fruits, spices, bamboo, processed food, fruit juice, handloom products and some indigenous tools for farming.
The cabinet meeting decided that a joint committee of the two countries would review the operations of the haats and would decide on opening such haats at new places.
According to the memorandum of understanding, the haats will be operating for the next three years after finalizing the agreement. Bangladesh and India are expecting to sign the deal by this month.