Textiles and Jute Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Thursday said to save the jute industry, its practical value and utility must be enhanced.

He emphasised the need to increase the capacity of jute industry institutions and warned against unethical hoarding of jute, stressing that only the required amount should be stored.

He also called for scaling up efforts to save the industry and assured that issues related to the supply chain would be resolved swiftly.

The adviser made the remarks while inaugurating a six-day multi-purpose jute products fair and photography exhibition, organised by the Jute Diversification Promotion Center (JDPC) under the Ministry of Textiles and Jute.

The fair will be held on the JDPC premises in Manipuripara, Dhaka, from 12 to 17 December. 

"In the ready-made garment industry, entrepreneurs attract financing from banks after establishing a strong position through their own initiatives. We need to create that foundation for the jute sector, and then banks will come forward with financing," the adviser said.

Addressing the crowd, the adviser emphasised, "I am not here to represent businessmen, but the people of this country. You need to take the first step, and the state will support you. I want a just state where those in power are held accountable."

The programme was chaired by Md Abdur Rouf, secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, and Abul Hossain, chairman of the Jute Mills Association.

Both highlighted various challenges and opportunities within the jute sector in their brief speeches.