BJMA calls for enforcing Jute Packaging Act

The leaders of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA) have called for taking proper measures to implement the 'Mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010' to help boost the jute sector.
They have made the call at the 31st annual general meeting (AGM) of the association held at its office in the city recently.
The sector especially the private jute industry is now facing hard time as the demand for jute goods has sharply declined on the international market, they said.
BJMA president Muhammad Shams-uz Zoha said currently maximum jute mills are incurring losses. To attract the foreign buyers, mills have cut the prices of jute goods, but not getting better response from them, he added.
Proper implementation of jute packaging law can only protect the local industry and the sector as a whole, he said.
The BJMA chief, however, said although the government has provided some financial assistance to overcome the crisis, most of the mills could not avail it for various reasons such as internal policy of scheduled banks.
He also urged the government and the parliamentary standing committee on jute ministry to take necessary steps to give the jute industry a boost.
Due to government policy, the privately-owned jute mills are facing uneven competition with the traders.
Earlier, the government asked the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and BJMA to supply jute bags as per the jute packing law, but just after few days, it withdrew the rules, he mentioned.
 "We should stress on the diversification of jute products. The demand for diversified jute goods such as shopping bags in the global market is growing fast," Mr Zoha also noted.  
arafat_ara@hotmail.com