Country News

President urges tapping potential of jute sector

06 Mar, 2026 :
President Mohammed Shahabuddin called upon all concerned to promote the expansion of jute products in the global market and seize the golden opportunities offered by emerging prospects.
“Make and market jute bags at low prices... The world is now leaning towards eco-friendly products — we must tap the potential of the jute sector,” the President said at a function at Osmani Smrity Auditorium here this morning, marking the National Jute Day 2026.
He called for avoiding polythene bags, which are harmful to the environment, saying, “Promote jute products in the global market. Use affordable jute bags and eco-friendly products.”
He urged entrepreneurs to come forward with new, modern, high-quality, aesthetic, and affordable products in line with global market demands.
Urging greater use of modern science and technology in the jute sector, President Shahabuddin said innovations and diversification should be introduced in jute products.
He also urged jute farmers to adopt advanced, high-yield farming methods and focus on producing quality fibre.
“You have to prioritise maintaining the sustainable quality of products, developing new designs, and enhancing usability. We must create skilled manpower in this sector and ensure fair prices for jute products,” the President said.
He called upon all public and private stakeholders, including jute farmers, workers, producers, industrialists, exporters, and policymakers, to play their part in increasing production by using modern technology, fostering innovation as well as diversification and encouraging private investment.
With the support of the incumbent people-friendly government, the golden days of the jute sector will return, new employment opportunities will be created, and peoples fortunes will improve, he hoped.
Stating that jute is an integral part of Bangladeshs socio-cultural heritage and a solid foundation for sustainable economic development, the President urged everyone to work in greater unity for the overall development and prosperity of the sector.
He said implementing the plan to create employment in various sectors based on the policy of “We will work, we will build the country” is the foremost priority of the current democratic government.
President Shahabuddin said the government has already taken initiatives to create new employment by opening various industries, including ailing and closed factories.
He said steps have been taken to make the jute sector technologically advanced, expand research, develop high-yield jute seed varieties, and use jute for diversified purposes.
The President said the new government, within 10 days of assuming office, took a groundbreaking decision to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, for farmers. More than 1.1 million farmers have directly benefited from this decision.
“This decision will improve the living standards of farmers, positively impacting the rural economy,” he added.
Earlier, during the tenure of Prime Minister Khaleda Zias first government, the interest and principal of agricultural loans of up to Tk 5,000 were waived with the same objective, he said.
Mentioning that Bangladesh has returned to the path of democracy at the cost of thousands of lives, the President said, “To build a Bangladesh imbued with the aspirations of the martyrs, we must become more advanced in knowledge, science, and technology. We have to achieve economic self-reliance and build a self-reliant Bangladesh.”
Regarding the governments distribution of farmer cards, he said the agriculture- and farmer-friendly government will start distributing the cards in phases from the next Pahela Baishakh.
Through this card, farmers will avail themselves of various facilities, including access to agricultural inputs at fair prices, government subsidies and incentives, affordable use of agricultural machinery, and agricultural loans.
The President believes these initiatives will strengthen the economy and bring prosperity to the jute sector.
He also virtually inaugurated the nine-day Jute and Multipurpose Jute Products Fair at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises.
On the occasion, a total of 19 individuals and organizations, including 12 associations, were awarded in 12 categories.
A documentary film was screened to mark the day.
Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, MP, State Minister Md. Shariful Alam, MP, Secretary Bilkis Jahan Rimi, Director General of the Jute Department Syed Md. Nurul Basir, and business representative Abul Hossain, President of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association (BJMA), among others, spoke on the occasion.

President to open 9-day jute fair tomorrow

05 Mar, 2026 :
President Mohammed Shahabuddin will inaugurate the 9-day Jute and Multipurpose Jute Products Fair from tomorrow.
“The President will inaugurate the fair at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises through online tomorrow,” State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam told a briefing at his Bangladesh Secretariat office here today.
Organized by the Department of Jute at Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) marking the National Jute Day, the 9-day jute fair would continue till March 1, he added.”
The State Minister invited all interested buyers of jute and jute products, entrepreneurs, businessmen, various individuals and relevant stakeholders to this fair on behalf of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.
He said seven closed jute mills are being opened while the rest of others will be opened under private management subsequently.
The state minister said the incumbent governments goal is to turn the country into a modern, democratic, upper-middle income one with building a country of one trillion dollar economy by 2034.
Referring to the governments electoral pledges, he said eliminating unemployment and creating employment will be given priority.
“Therefore, the government will work with a coordinated initiative to reopen the jute mills that were closed due to the mismanagement of the fascist government . . . Besides, long-term leasing activities still continue to privately launch the jute mills under the control of BJMC to create job opportunities and vibrant countrys economy,” he mentioned.
The State Minister said a total of 7,200 people in nine mills out of the leased ones, are working there and it would help play a very positive role in the countrys production and employment subsequently.

Govt has plan to build university, river port, railway workshop in Rajbari

01 Mar, 2026 :
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khaiyam today said that the government has plan to build public university, river port, a cantonment and a railway workshop in the district.
He also said that the electoral pledges for the district were to build Padma Bridge and Padma Barrage for which the government is continuing its efforts.
The State Minister made the remarks while addressing a view exchange meeting with officials of the district administration at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner this afternoon.
Referring to the alleged irregularities and mismanagement in the district hospital, Khaiyam said there are many problems in the health sector here that require urgent and genuine solutions.
“Healthcare services are not being delivered properly. People of the area are not receiving adequate treatment and there are many irregularities. Appropriate measures must be taken to address these issues,” he said, adding that he wants to ensure a real and lasting solution.
On the law and order situation, the state minister acknowledged that it is not yet satisfactory in the district. Issuing a stern warning to extortionists and drug traders in Rajbari-1 constituency, he said there would be no leniency towards them and sought full cooperation from the police in this regard.
He requested the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to take all necessary steps to free the district from drugs.
“There will be no place in our district for extortionists, terrorists and drug traders. None will be spared, regardless of their political affiliation,” he said.
He further said no one would be allowed to forcibly grab land or houses of innocent people as was allegedly done during the previous autocratic government. “If anyone attempts such acts, they will be handed over to the law enforcement agencies,” he added.
The monthly meeting of the District Development Committee was held with Deputy Commissioner Sultana Akter in the chair.
Member of Parliament of Rajbari-2 Harunur Rashid Harun, Vice-President of Rajbari District unit of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Professor Manzurul Alam Dulal, and President of the District Teachers Association Gazi Ahsan Habib also spoke at the meeting.

Milon for stern action against teachers engage in other professions without approval

27 Feb, 2026 :
Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon today said teachers must obtain prior permission from the appropriate authorities before engaging in any profession outside their teaching duties, warning that action will be taken against those found violating the rule.
“If any teacher is involved in another profession without prior approval, allegations will be investigated and necessary action will be taken,” he told journalists after attending the monthly coordination meeting and law and order committee meeting at Kachua Upazila Parishad auditorium in Chandpur.
Describing teaching as a responsible and full-time profession, the minister said teachers must devote full attention to classroom activities to ensure quality education for students.
“If anyone wants to engage in another profession alongside teaching, it must be done in accordance with existing rules and with proper approval,” he said, adding that any complain of irregularity would be thoroughly investigated.
Highlighting the role of the media, Dr Milon said responsible and objective reports published by the media would be given due importance.
“If negligence in duty is exposed in the media, it will come to our notice and we will take appropriate measures,” he said.
Speaking about teacher recruitment, he said the previous government had failed to recruit adequate number of teachers for long, the impact of which is still affecting the education sector.
"There are specific rules and procedures in the education sector. Give me two to four months, and you will see visible changes. I have several plans,” he added.
The minister said his responsibility is not limited to constructing buildings while leaving classrooms vacant.
“We will prioritise what is actually needed,” he said, mentioning qualitative improvement in education, filling vacant posts and ensuring accountability as his main goals.
Party leaders and activists, upazila administration officials and members of law enforcement agencies were present at the meeting.

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