The Case: Jute Industry in Bangladesh: Revival of the Golden Days of Golden Fiber

Opened: Saturday, 24 September 2022, 12:00 AM
Due: Friday, 30 September 2022, 11:59 PM

To achieve and maintain a GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 8% or more and accelerate its middle-income countries' status, Bangladesh needs to diversify its economic drivers besides the ready-made garment (RMG) sector. According to many industry experts, the jute industry can be that economic driver for Bangladesh. Jute, also known as "Sonali Ansh (golden fiber), contributed to 68% of the country's total foreign exchange in 1980-81. However, that contribution significantly dropped to around 6% within a decade (1990-91) (Islam, 2013). The main reasons behind such a drop in revenue earning were the availability of cheap artificial synthetic fiber and plastic materials which were good-looking and washable. Also, our jute processing companies could not offer diversified and attractive products and failed to attract local and international markets due to a lack of an appropriate marketing plan.