Ensure multifaceted use of tea to boost export: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday asked all concerned to add value to tea instead of only selling tea leaves in bulk as the demand for diversified tea products is increasing globally, report agencies.

"People's taste has now changed. Different kinds of tea are now available. Produce aroma tea. The demand for teas having various flavours is now very high globally. Special attention is required to this end alongside producing tea," she said.

The premier was inaugurating the tea festival as the chief guest marking celebration of the 4th "National Tea Day 2024" at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium here this morning.

She also conferred the National Tea Award 2024 on different persons, organisations and companies in eight categories.

The prime minister asked the tea garden owners and tea businessmen to add value to the tea.

"If you add value to tea, you will get more money comparing to (only) sale of tea leaves abundantly as the demand for aroma tea is increasing globally day by day," she said.

Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for research to ensure multifaceted use of tea, its production and marketing.

"We have to make sure multifaceted use of tea such as aroma tea. We can earn foreign currencies by exporting value added teas," she said.

Prime Minister urged owners to treat workers in tea plantations with more care and to see to their welfare.

Addressing owners, she said: "If the tea workers were equipped with more advanced machinery, they could do more work. It is not enough to consider them as your subordinates. You have to remember that their labour and sweat are your path to increasing your production and income.

As such, you have to take better care of your workers.”