Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin. File Photo

DHAKA, March 17, 2025 (BSS) - Adviser to the ministries of textiles and jute, and commerce Sheikh Bashiruddin today said the interim government has been working to make jute bags available in the market at affordable prices to throw out polythene shopping bags.

“We want to make jute shopping bags available at a low price in the market . . . The advantages of these bags are that such bags can be reused, side by side it is economical and environmentally friendly,” he said.

He was speaking as the chief guest at a view-exchange meeting with the presidents and general secretaries of different markets under the Dhaka city area, organized by the textiles and jute ministry at the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce here.

“I want you to produce jute bags yourselves, you become traders . . . You play a role in making its marketing easier,” adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin told the traders, seeking advices of all concerned on how to market these bags in the country.

Textiles and jute ministry secretary Md Abdur Rouf said, “The ministry is taking active role in introducing jute bags as an alternative to polythene nationwide with the aim of implementing the Compulsory Use of Jute Packaging in Products Act-2010.”

Additional secretaries - Arifur Rahman Khan, Md. Selim Khan and Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Director General of the Jute Diversification Promotion Center  Zeenat Ara, TCB Director General Brigadier General Mohammad Faisal Azad, other representatives of the Ministries of Commerce, and Textiles and Jute, and representatives of markets in Dhaka city were also present there.