The government today (21 July) announced formation of a joint working group and plans to organise an International Jute Expo as part of a coordinated initiative to expand Bangladesh's jute exports and strengthen the sector's global market presence.

The decisions were announced at a coordination meeting titled "Strategic Economic Diplomacy and Export Expansion for Bangladesh's Jute Sector", jointly organised by the foreign and textiles and jute ministries at the foreign ministry, according to a press release.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam announced the formation of the Joint Working Group between the two ministries and the plan to organise the International Jute Expo with a renewed global outlook in the near future.

Secretaries of both ministries, senior government officials and representatives from the Department of Jute, jute industry, research institutions and development partner organisations attended the meeting.

Shama reaffirmed, while addressing the meeting, the government's commitment to revitalising the jute sector and stressed the importance of organising exhibitions of jute and jute products to restore the glory of the country's "golden fibre".

She particularly emphasised leveraging economic diplomacy, with active engagement of Bangladesh missions abroad, to promote the country's jute industry and expand its presence in international markets.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam appreciated the foreign ministry's initiative and stressed closer coordination among the two ministries and the private sector to enhance jute production, processing, value addition and market diversification.

The meeting decided that the proposed Joint Working Group would formulate a national roadmap for jute exhibitions and work to address trade barriers affecting the industry.

It would also facilitate establishment of dedicated research centres for jute, promote adoption of modern technologies across the sector and monitor progress of jute mill modernisation initiatives.

The proposed International Jute Expo will bring together domestic and international buyers, researchers and investors to strengthen Bangladesh's engagement with global markets and explore new opportunities for jute and diversified jute products.

The meeting also discussed establishing mandatory jute display centres and gift shops at Bangladesh's international airports as part of efforts to showcase locally produced jute products to international travellers.

It also discussed expediting implementation of a project to introduce jute-made school bags for primary school students.

Another key objective identified at the meeting was achieving complete self-sufficiency in jute seed production within the next three years by increasing domestic production and reducing dependence on imports.

Both ministries expressed their commitment to working together to transform the country's jute sector into a modern and competitive industry, ensure fair prices for farmers and strengthen Bangladesh's position as a trusted global source of climate-friendly jute-based solutions.