Govt working to ‘revive lost glory of Rajshahi silk’

RAJSHAHI, Apr 11: State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shoriful Alam has said the government has begun field-level initiatives to revive the traditional silk industry and restore the lost glory of Rajshahi silk, describing it as a national heritage.
He made the remarks after visiting the Rajshahi Silk Research and Training Institute on Saturday morning. The visit was aimed to assess the current condition of the sector and outline a practical development roadmap.
"Rajshahi silk is not just a regional product; it is part of our national identity and pride. The government is working to modernise the sector through technology, research and training," he said.
Highlighting the historical background, the minister said the Rajshahi Silk Board was established in 1977 by former President Ziaur Rahman, while further initiatives were taken by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. He added that current efforts were being made under the guidance of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, focusing on modernisation and research-driven development.
Referring to the gap between demand and supply, he noted that Bangladesh required around 400-450 tonnes of silk annually, but nearly 90 per cent is imported due to the decline and closure of local factories.
To address the issue, the government is prioritising expansion of sericulture, development of mulberry cultivation, and improvement of silk yarn quality through research. Plans are also underway to reopen closed factories and attract both local and foreign investment.
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