Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin held a high-level meeting with Anping Yi, Director of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Department at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to explore strategies for boosting jute production, diversifying markets for jute products, and enhancing capacity-building initiatives.
The discussion took place on Wednesday at the Ministry of Commerce in Dhaka. Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Md Abdur Rouf, and FAO Representative in Bangladesh, Xiaokun Shi, were also present at the meeting.
Sheikh Bashir Uddin emphasised the deep cultural, historical, and economic significance of jute in Bangladesh. Once known as the "golden fibre," jute was a cornerstone of the national economy and remains a vital sector today.
“Our goal is to revive the golden era of jute and position Bangladesh as a global hub for eco-friendly, sustainable products,” he said.
“Achieving this will require strong collaboration between the government and private sector in research, investment, and international marketing. The support and partnership of the FAO can significantly accelerate this journey,” he added.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to innovate jute-based products, from biodegradable packaging to fashion and construction materials, as part of a broader strategy to expand export potential and meet growing global demand for sustainable alternatives.
Anping Yi affirmed the FAO’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s jute sector.
“Bangladesh is a key player in the global jute industry,” he said. “The FAO is keen to collaborate on expanding the market for jute products and enhancing production capacity.”
He noted that the FAO has already established an office in Bangladesh dedicated to agricultural product development, employing over 200 staff, most of whom are Bangladeshi nationals.
The office is actively involved in technical assistance, training, and project implementation.
Yi assured full cooperation in strengthening the jute value chain, from seed development to market access, and expressed interest in promoting South-South cooperation to share knowledge and best practices with other jute-producing countries.
The meeting marked a significant step toward positioning Bangladesh’s jute industry for a sustainable and globally competitive future.