Government building jute leaf drink factory in Jamalpur

A drink made from jute leaf and invented by one Ismail Hossain, will be available for buyers in the country's markets and shops as it is going to be produced in a factory commercially.

The Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation has started building the factory for commercial production of the jute leaf drink, an alternative to tea, in Jamalpur district, reports bdnews24.com.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam unveiled the foundation stone of the plant at Jhalupara of Sarishabarhi upazila on Friday.

"We are trying to diversify the use of jute with the aim of bringing back the golden days of this fibre. New technologies are being invented. In continuation of these efforts, this green jute drink is coming," the state minister said.

"It will enrich the jute industry," he added.

Ismail Hossain, the adviser of the project and inventor of the jute drink, said they hoped to export the product of the plant, which is being built at an estimated cost of Tk 11.6 million.

According to Ismail, the factory will start production by the end of this year.

"We will collect jute leaves in the current season and process them. The drink will taste like green tea," he said.

According to him, the new drink will help the consumers control diabetes and blood pressure, and reduce fat besides preventing many diseases.

Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation Chairman Mahmudul Hassan and Textiles and Jute Secretary Fasizur Rahman Chowdhury, were also present, among others.