DHAKA, March 31, 2024 (BSS) - Senior Secretary of the Industries Ministry
Zakia Sultana today said Jamdani, the most artistic textile of Bangladeshi
weavers, will be branded internationally as its alternative is now rare in
the contemporary world.

"Jamdani is unparallel due to its quality weaving technique and beautiful
design ... and now it is time to branding the fabric across the world as an
alternative of Muslin," she said.

The Industries Secretary came up with this remark while inaugurating 'Jamdani
Fair-2024', jointly organised by Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries
Corporation (BSCIC) and Bangladesh National Museum at Poet Sufia Kamal
auditorium of National Museum here this morning.

To this end, she said necessary initiatives have already been taken on behalf
of the concerned ministry.

Of the initiatives include imparting training to the entrepreneurs engaged
with this industry, manufacturing of international standard packing,
providing incentives for export and arrangement of showcasing at all
Bangladeshi foreign missions.

As the fabrics are very much comfortable, so it is very much preferred to the
foreigners across the world, Zakia Sultana said, adding: "A training
programme has began for the young weavers on March 11, this year as they are
not expert at all about the design of the saris."

In 2013, the traditional art of weaving jamdani was declared a UNESCO
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Though mostly used for saris, Jamdani is also used for scarves and
handkerchiefs. Jamdani is believed to be a fusion of the ancient cloth-making
techniques of Bengal (possibly 2,000 years old) with the muslins produced by
Bengali Muslims since the 14th century.

Jamdani is the most expensive product of Dhaka looms since it requires the
most lengthy and dedicated work.

Chaired by BISCIC's Chairman Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik, the programme was also
attended, among others, by Cultural Secretary Khalil Ahmed and Director
General (DG) of the Bangladesh National Museum M Kamruzzaman.