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Sharp decline in jute export
KHULNA, December 26, 2011: Thousands of tonnes of raw jute remain unsold at
warehouses of the exporters in this region due to drastic price fall in the international market as an impact of continuous global recession.
According to Export Promotion Bureau, raw jute and jute goods worth 16.3 million dollars and 0.96 million euros have been exported from this
region in October of the current year. In November, raw jute worth 1.45 million dollars and 73 thousand euros has been exported to 14 countries.
The countries are India, Pakistan, China, Belgium, Japan, Greece, Check Republic, Spain, Russia, Egypt, Italy, United Kingdom,
Netherlands and Bulgaria.
Source said that 2 lakh 75 thousand metric tonnes raw jute worth about
164.7 million dollars have remained unsold in different warehouses only in Daulatpur of Khulna. The businessmen have stockpiled the raw jute to
avoid loss. Sources said export of jute goods have fallen in the overseas markets.
In this situation the businessmen urged the concerned authority for searching new market of jute, reduce of bank interest and also
compensation in this sector. Source: Daily Sun
14 new jute mills to be set up in Khulna, Jessore
KHULNA, November 21, 2011 (BSS): At total of 14 jute mills will be set up in Khulan
and Jessore regions at a cost of Taka 1b creating job opportunities for thousands of people.
Board of Investment (BOI) Khulna sources said the approval for setting up the jute mills was given in the last two years.
The proposed projects are AMM Jute Mills limited, Pabna Jute Mills Limited, Reza Jute Mills Limited, Sheikh Jute Mills limited, FR Jute
Mills limited, Fultala Jute Mills limited, Wahab Jute Mills Limited, Madina Jute Mills Limited-1 and Madina Jute Mills Limited- 2,Salam Jute
Mills Limited, Amjad Jute Mills Limited and Afil Jute Mills Limited.
Shakhar Lal Shah, assistant director of BOI, said the investors of Khulna and Jessore zones are showing keen interest in setting up the new
jute mills in the areas due to a conducive environment for the industry, including low land price, availability of workers and fertile land for
jute growth.
The sources said demand for environment friendly jute goods has increased in the local and international markets.
Jute goods manufacturing gets investors' greater attention
Dhaka, October 31 2011 : The volatile cotton yarn market is forcing many entrepreneurs to invest
in the jute yarn industry as the country's jute and jute goods export reached a new height in recent years.
Industry insiders said many entrepreneurs have made changes in their plan to set up cotton spinning mills and are showing growing interest in
jute spinning mills.
Fazlur Rahman, Managing Director of Rahman Jute Spinning Private Ltd in
Rajshahi which is expected to go into operation after Eid-ul-Azha, said they had earlier planned to invest in cotton spinning mills but
presently they are not interested in that as the sector is struggling hard. "We have invested in the jute sector because the prospect of the sector
is bright with the demand for the eco-friendly item increasing day by day across the globe," said Mr Rahman adding if one can run the mill
properly one will definitely make profit. Shalauddin Ahmed, Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Mazada Jute Mills
Industries Ltd which was established in June this year, said they are investing in the sector since the sector is no more a loss-making one.
"If the millers can purchase raw jute at a lower price, it is easy to make profit," said the DGM adding now there is no crisis of raw jute as
the production has increased much.
According to Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association (BJSA), around 16 new
jute spinning mills have been set up in the country over the last 16 months whereas eight more mills are in the pipeline.
BJSA data shows that four jute spinning mills were established in 2008-09 financial year (FY), and another four in FY 2009-10. There are a
total of 82 jute spinning mills in the country. Source: Daily Sun
Jute price falls 23pc
Dhaka, October 10, 2011: Raw jute prices dropped by 23 percent as millers and traders cut
purchase because of large stockpiles and low demand from foreign buyers. Fine quality jute, used to make yarn, is now being traded at Tk 1,600-Tk
1,800 a maund (1 maund = 40 kilograms) from Tk 2,000-Tk 2,200 a maund at the same time last year, according to farmers and millers.
Prices of low grade jute, used to make sacks, slumped to Tk 900-Tk 1,100 a maund from Tk 1,600-Tk 1,800 a maund a year ago, hurting the farmers
who brought more lands under jute cultivation after being encouraged by the high prices in the last two years.
"The market situation is discouraging this year. At current prices, our margins will be thin. But farmers who have grown jute on leased land
will incur losses," said Shihabul Islam, a farmer at Madhukhali in Faridpur, a major jute growing district.
Last year, jute was grown on 7 lakh hectares and production rose to 83
lakh bales, up from 4 lakh hectares and 51 lakh bales in the previous year, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) estimates.
The BBS is yet to finalise estimates for this year but millers and traders said jute has been sown on 20 percent more lands this year.
The millers and traders said production of the cash crop might not increase this year due to excessive rainfall and pest attacks that
affected growth of the plants.
Even after possibilities of a less than expected output, jute prices
have fallen due to a lack of enthusiasm among millers and traders. "There are very few buyers of raw jute. Millers and large traders have
reduced purchase,? said Prabir Shaha, a trader at Madhukhali. Millers and traders are blaming the 14-lakh bales of carried-over stocks
and slack demand from buyers abroad for the current situation. "With carried-over stocks and production this year, there is little
scope for a shortfall of jute," said a top official of state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), seeking anonymity.
Millers and traders linked the low demand for the environment-friendly fibre to ongoing unrest in the Middle East, a major market for the jute
yarn.
Debt crisis in Europe, fear of a double-dip recession in developed
economies and depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar also dampened demand.
Demand from Indian buyers has declined as jute imports become less attractive with depreciation of the rupee, said Shaikh Farook
Hossain, former chairman of Bangladesh Jute Association. Source: The Daily Star
Closed jute mills were reopened as per the electoral pledges
Dhaka, October 5, 2011 (bdnews24.com): Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has said the
government will keep all the state-owned sugar mills in operation throughout the year to meet the demand for the commodity.
"All the closed state-owned sugar mills have been reopened. The mills will remain in production to meet the demand of sugar," she said when
the National Wages and Productivity Commission submitted its report to her at her office on Tuesday, according prime minister's press secretary
Abul Kalam Azad. The commission members thanked the prime minister for reopening the
state-owned jute mills, which were closed down by BNP-led alliance government.
Hasina said the closed jute mills were reopened as per the electoral
pledges of her party, Bangladesh Awami League. "The government is trying to reopen other state-owned mills as early as
possible. In future, none will be able to shut down jute mills as these mills are now being operated under company management," she said.
Calling upon all to turn productivity a national movement, she said
cherished development of the country is not possible without raising production in every sector.
She said her government is extending sector-wise support to increase productivity.
Jute prices stay low at Gopalganj
GOPALGANJ September 21, 2011: The farmers of the district are selling the newly
harvested jute in the local markets at prices below the cost of production. Though a little rise in the price of Jute was noticed recently, the
farmers are not quite happy with it.
According to the jute growers of the district, cultivation of jute has become very much expensive in the recent times.
A farmer gets 14 to 15 maunds of jute fiber from one bigha (52 decimals)
of land and has to spend Tk. 17,000 to Tk. 18,000 per bigha for jute cultivation up to separation of the fiber from stalks.
But now jute is being sold at Tk. 1000 to Tk. 1100 per maund in the local markets of the district on an average depending on the quality of
the Tossa variety and local variety of jute.
"We are not yet to getting any profit from jute as the present market
price of it is still way below the production of cost," said some growers. They are urged the government to fix jute price at Tk. 3,000
per maund at the minimum. They further said, last year one maund of jute was sold at Tk. 2400 to Tk. 2500. Source: The Financial Express, Bangladesh
Bumper jute production expected in Narail
NARAIL, August 17, 2011 (BSS): Farmers of three upazilas in Narail district are
expecting a bumper yield of jute due to favourable weather and necessary supports they received from the authorities concerned.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources said, the farmers in the district cultivated jute on 24,360 hectares of land against the
target of 19,319 hectares set by the DAE. This year, jute is being cultivated on 8,500 hectares of land in Sadar
upazila, 11,110 hectares in Lohagora upazila and 4,750 hectares in Kalia
upazila. A total of 2,66,498 bales of jute is expected to be produced in the district with 10.94 bales per hectare this year, DAE official
sources said.
Those good old days of jute farming are back once again, as cultivation
of the crop in Narail has been increasing for the last three years due to a new farming method adopted by the farmers.
Price fall, high labour cost frustrate jute growers
Rajshahi, August 8, 2011: Jute growers in the district are becoming frustrated due to fall in jute
price and high labour cost. Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) sources said, 60,000 hectares
more land than the previous year were brought under jute cultivation this year due to favourable weather and world market condition.
But now the farmers are counting huge loss due to slide in price. Jute is now being sold between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,200 in different markets of
the district.
On the other hand, many farmers are not even cutting and rotting jute
plants due to increased labour cost. Per head labour for jute cutting and rotting is Tk 250 against Tk 150-180 for any other work.
Farmer Selim Miah of Sripur village in Poba upazila said he cultivated jute on two bighas of land this year but incurred loss.
He said production cost of jute went up due to high labour cost much to the worry of the jute growers of the district.
Jute plants are getting dried in the field as the farmers in some areas
could not rot jute due to high labour charge, he added. Farmers said price of per maund jute was Tk 1,500-1,600 at the beginning
of the last season and later the price rose to Tk 2,200. The price had inspired them to plant jute on larger areas.
DAE sources said, some 11.38 lakh hectares of land were brought under
jute cultivation in eight districts in last season. But the farmers brought more land under jute cultivation this season exceeding the
target of 11.98 lakh hectares. Source: The Daily Star
Seven
Khulna jute mills earn Tk. 22.8m last month
KHULNA, July 21: Seven out of eight state run jute mills of Khulna
industrial area under BJMC have profited Tk. 22.8 million (2 crore 28 lakh 25 thousand) during the last one month (June). However, Carpeting
Jute Mills has lost Tk. 0.75 million during the period for poor selling of its production, official source said.
Sources said that the lost glory of golden fibre is returning again. BJMC Khulna zone has achieved its success in June due to proper finance
in the jute sector. Seven jute mills produced 7202.63 metric tonnes of jute goods during the month of June.
Of them, Khalishpur Jute mill has profited Tk. 5.89 million by producing
960.43 metric tonnes jute of goods, Crescent Jute Mill earned Tk. 5.26 million against the production of 1896.882 metric tonnes, JJI mill
Tk. 4.54 million against the production of 714.11metric tonnes, Star Jute Mill 2.6 9 million against the production of 922.86 metric tonns, Alim
Jute Mill 1.62 million against the production of 416.78 metric tonnes, Eastern Jute Mill 1.51 million against the production of 572.82 metric
tonnes and Platinum Jute Mill Tk. 1.29 million against the production of 1458.08 metric tonnes. Only Carpeting Jute Mill has lost Tk 0.76 million
by producing 260.62 metric tonnes during the period. The project head of the Platinum Jute Mill Mujibar Rahman said that "We
are trying heart and soul to return the glory of golden fibre by producing more and more".
Source: Financial Express, Bangladesh
Record jute production in Bangladesh northern region
RANGPUR, July 8, 2011 (BSS): An all-time record bumper production of jute is
likely as the farmer just began its harvest at places this season in the northern region, experts, scientists and officials said today.
"We are expecting record jute production following adoption of the latest technologies amid favourable climatic condition," Principal
Scientific Officer of Rangpur Regional Station of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Dr Md Ayub Khan said.
Officials in the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said the farmers have cultivated jute on 2,52,515 hectares land this season,
which is 12.34 percent higher than the fixed target of bringing 2,24,823 hectares to produce 24,73,192 bales jute.
"The farmers have cultivated jute on 52, 682 hectares more land this time than the last season when they exceeded the fixed farming target by
44 percent by brining 1,99,833 hectares land under jute cultivation against the target of 1,38,731 hectares." they said.
The farmers are expected to produce over 2.778 m bales jute from 2.52,515 heaters land this season against the last year's production of
2.383 m bales jute from 1,99,833 hectares in the region.
BJMC going to make profit after 29 years
Dhaka, June 29, 2011: The state-run Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) is going to make
net profit within three months after 29 years as both of its production and sale have increased significantly, one of its high officials told
the FE Monday. He said the corporation has started making operating profit as the
production and sale of jute goods have increased simultaneously in local
and overseas markets. Besides, the prices of raw jute and jute goods have also marked rise by
33 per cent in the international market, because of its environment-friendly quality.
"From this April the jute mills under the corporation are making operating profit and gradually covering the losses and going to be a
profitable concern," said BJMC marketing director Md Shamsul Haque. Mr Haque said the present government is very much supportive to the jute
sector. "This has helped the corporation to purchase raw jute in time. Which was very much impossible in previous years due to fund constraint."
He said the BJMC earned operating profit of Tk 69 million (Tk 6.92 crore) in May this year while the profit during the July- May period of
FY 2010-11was Tk 77 million.
At present some 19 jute mills are in operation under the BJMC management. Of the mills, 15 made operating profit in May this year but
the corporation officials were hopeful that all the mills will make profit with the next three months.The Latif Bawani Jute Mills made profit worth Tk 35.2 million, the
highest among the BJMC mills. Bangladesh Jute Mills has earned Tk 12.4 million, while Karim Jute Mills Tk 7.8 million, Rajshahi Jute Mills Tk
4.3 million, Gul Ahmed Jute Mills Tk 6.58 million, and Hafiz Jute Mills
Tk 5.09 million. Officials said that the BJMC-run mills could not make profit since 1982.
But after the present government came to power, it gave utmost priority to jute sector with a view to making all the jute mills profitable.
The corporation for the last time made profit worth of Tk 175 million in
1982. After that it was always in the red. The BJMC exported 89,391 tonnes of jute products in FY 2008-09. However,
the corporation is expecting to increase it to 150,000 tonnes in present fiscal, the officials added.
They also expected that the demand of jute products will increase in the domestic markets in the near future due to introduction of the mandatory
jute packaging act-2010. Source: The Financial Express
Jute hits billion dollar jackpot as exports cross $20b mark
Dhaka, June 17 2011: Earnings from jute and jute product exports hit the billion dollars mark
for the first time in the country's history, propelling overall shipments in the first eleven months to US$20.53 billions, official
figures showed Thursday. Exports of raw jute rose 81 per cent and jute goods 40 per cent to take
the shipment of the proverbial Golden Fibre to $1.03 billion - a
figure not seen even in the heyday of the cash-crop in the 1940s-70s.
Shipments in May, the penultimate month of the fiscal year, soared to
$2.29 billion, creating a new monthly record, as marks are shattered in exports every manufacturing and primary product that the country trade.
The year-on-year growth in May was over half a billion dollars in absolute term, or 48 per cent more than the same month last year.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) said the overall shipments grew a blistering 42 per cent in the eleven months to May, as the shipments
crossed $20 billion threshold for the first time, on the back of booming apparel trade.
Garment export may have been the most important factor behind the export
boom, following last year's meager four per cent growth, it was the revival of jute that has caught the officials and the industry by surprise.
Exporters attributed the rebound to surging demand of natural fibre in the developed nations, a sharp price-hike in the international market
and a private sector-led diversification and value-addition of jute goods.
"This is for the first time in the country's history that exports of jute and jute products reached one billion dollar. It's a great news for
the local jute industry and the farmers," EPB vice chairman Jalal Ahmed told the FE.
"We expect the growth will continue in the next fiscal year as a number of European Union and Middle East nations have planned to slap total ban
on plastic-made bags," he said. The country earned $725.56 million by exporting jute and jute products
during July-May of the last fiscal year, when the natural fibre replaced frozen fish as the country's second largest export item after apparel.`Vice chairman of Bangladesh Jute Mills Association ABM Humayun said
popularity of natural fibres amid growing environmental concerns across the globe is pushing up demand for jute.
Source: Financial Express
Farmers happy over jute prospects in Gopalganj
GOPALGANJ, May 31, 2011: Golden fibre jute is making a glorious comeback much
to the delight of farmers signaling new prospects for the country. Known world-wide as an environment-friendly natural fibre, jute was once
the main forex earner for the country and a cash crop for millions. But over the years, it was on the wane as most farmers had abandoned or
reduced jute cultivation because of low yield and price and due to lack of government patronisation and appropriate policy. They switched over
to other crops. According to official reports, Gopalganj Sadar Upazila 6460 hectares of
land have been brought under jute cultivation with a production target of 72,452 bales, In Muksudpur Upazila 9,500 hectares with a production
target of 1,06,395 bales, In Kashiani Upazila 6040 hectares and production target of 57,747 bales, In Kotalipara Upazila 924 hectares
with a production target 10,285 bales and In Tungipara Upazila 1451 hectares with a production target of 16,156 bales.
Local farmers earlier lost interest in jute cultivation as inferiors
quality of Indian seeds captured the market. They did not cover even the production cost as the yield was very low due to early flowering.
But now they are happy because the jute price is also favourable and agri-inputs obtained easily from office as per demand.
According to Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE), Gopalganj sources said, a total of 80,576 jute farmers are involved in jute
cultivation in five upazilas of Gopalganj District this year. Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com
Record jute production likely in N-region
RANGPUR, May 22, 2011 (BSS): Officials, experts and farmers are expecting a
record jute production, as jute was cultivated 4.5 per cent more than the fixed target in the country's northern region this season.
Officials at the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) said bumper production and excellent jute price of last year encouraged the farmers
cultivating jute in more land and the vast tracts of growing jute fields have worn eye-catching looks everywhere.
Dinajpur Hub Manager of Cereal Systems Initiatives for South Asia (CSISA) Dr MA Mazid said jute farming got special dimension following
fair prices and revival of closed jute mills and disbursement of different incentives and subsidies among farmers.
While visiting growing jute fields in different areas, IRRI representative in Bangladesh and chairperson of new CSISA Expansion
Board of Management Dr M Joynul Abedin predicted bumper jute production this season.
Agri-scientists said the farmers are showing keen interests in cultivating the fibre as the local jute industries have started growing
again and demand of the eco-friendly fibre has been increasing very fast at international markets.
Jute use legislation in Bangladesh
Dhaka, April 28, 2011: THE mandatory Jute Packaging Act 2010, passed with great intentions to
boost the classic environment friendly 'sonali ansh' (golden fibre) --seems to have been badly woven. By making the use of jute bags for
packaging all agricultural produce, food stuffs and even cement legally binding, it looks like becoming a non starter. Over 50 woven
polypropylene (WPP) factories, which claim to be worth a Tk 15 billion, woven sack manufacturing industry, would be affected by this piece of
legislation. So would be end users of the versatile polymer sacks, which cost about a fourth of those made of jute fibre, say stakeholders.
Apart from this huge price difference that would impact on the market,
there are other practical problems as well, for, jute sacks are hardly suitable for cement or powdered livestock feed or flour meant for
people, for that matter, unless they come woven with paper lining. Clearly, the drafters did not feel obliged to study the ground realities
of jute and polypropylene before getting the bill passed. The good news is, Bangladesh's classic cash crop is regaining, its old
importance and is even drawing a number of big players as well, according to reports. Hopefully this would not drive the small
entrepreneurs out, something that needs to be guarded against in a country like Bangladesh, where modest enterprises deserve a positive
bias, because the cost benefit yields from these in holistic terms -- are certainly greater compared to those from unwieldy, capital-intensive
enterprises. This golden fibre's potential is immense paper pulp from green jute and yam for household linen, upholstery and clothing, not to
forget existing items like carpets, rugs, twine and sacking. There is no valid reason why the sector should ever be sick because international
demand for jute products is often found to be greater than the volume the mills here can deliver.
Source: The Financial Express, Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Govt lifts ban on raw jute export temporarily
Dhaka, March 11 2011: The government has lifted ban on export of raw jute on a temporary basis
in a bid to help local jute traders sell their unsold stocks and earn more foreign currency.
The Ministry of Textiles and Jute issued a circular to this effect on
March 09 amid a growing demand of the natural fibre in global market. "Taking an increased demand of Bangla Tosha Rejection (BTR) in the
export market into consideration, the ban on export of raw jute has temporarily been lifted for the sake of giving a boost to the country's
foreign currency earnings," said the circular.
On February 11, 2010, the government imposed the ban on export of raw
jute, mainly to ensure its availability for the local jute mills. The mills were facing troubles in procuring raw jute due to its price hike
in the domestic market. Textiles and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddique told the FE: "We have
withdrawn the export ban considering the financial losses, faced by the local jute traders."
The government has taken the decision to help the traders who still have unsold stock of jute, he said.
"If we do not allow the traders to export raw jute, they would fail to sell their products. It would ultimately bring sufferings to the farmers."
Local growers would be discouraged to cultivate jute in the coming season, if their present stocks remain unsold. Besides, Bangladesh Jute
Mills Corporation (BJMC) and other private millers have already bought their required quantity of raw jute, the minister said.
Sheikh Farook Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Jute Association (BJA), a group of around 250 jute traders, said, "The
government has taken the decision to help the farmers of Jessore and Kushtia, where they failed
to produce quality jute last season." The farmers of those regions got only Tk 2,000-2,200 by selling per
maund of jute, and they still have unsold BTR stocks, he said. The government's decision will help them sell their products at fair
prices, as the item has global demand, he added. Source: The Financial Express Bangladesh
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opens Khalishpur Jute Mills
Khalishpur, Khulna, March 06, 2011: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday formally switched on operation of
the Khalishpur Jute Mills, earlier known as People's Jute Mills, in the Khalishpur industrial belt.
The premier also unveiled the plaque of the mill and offered special prayer.
The mill was renamed on suggestion of the mill workers and the proposal placed by Jute Minister
Abdul Latif Siddique at a meeting on February 25 was approved by the prime minister.
Established on 72 acres in 1952, the mill was nationalised on independence of the country. Supervised by Bangladesh Jute Mills
Corporation (BJMC) the mill had suffered heavy loss due to mismanagement and corruption, finally leading to its closure on July 31, 2007
rendering more than 3,300 workers jobless. The caretaker government leased out the mill to Messers Kazi Firms,
which after suffering a loss of Tk 18 crore returned to BJMC in July 2009. The government formed a 25-member committee to carry out a
feasibility study before taking the mill back. Finding a buoyant market for jute and jute goods, BJMC restarted the
mill with test production in November last. Source: The Daily Star
Bangladesh to import Indian jute seeds
Dhaka, February 20, 2011 (IANS): Bangladesh will get about 3,500 tonnes of the tosha
variety of jute seeds from India to augment its production and may import more to meet the rising demand of jute products.
Named JRO-524, the seeds will be imported as a private sector initiative with the government processing the applications from 840 seed traders,
New Age said, quoting Moksudur Rahman, deputy director (Quarantine) of the plant protection department.Tosha seeds are from India's
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh states. Bangladesh and India are the world's largest growers of jute and producers of jute goods.
Raw jute worth Tk 140m gutted in Rajshahi
RAJSHAHI, January 24, 2011: Raw jute worth taka 140 million weighing about 70,000
maunds was gutted when a devastating fire engulfed a storage (godown) at Rahman Jute Mills at Alaibidirpur area under Paba Upazila of the
district this afternoon. Nine units of fire servicemen after tireless effort have brought the
fire under control around 5-00 pm. Till the writing of the report at 6-30, fire was still burning in places of the
godown. Shieikh Mijanur Rahman, Deputy Director of Rajshahi Fire Service Department informed that the godown is a large one and a huge quantity
of raw jute was stored there. As a result, it took nearly four hours to control the fire. He said, extra fire service units from
Tanore, Rajshahi University and Naogaon were called to assist fire service to douse the fire.
Authorities of the mills informed, there was 70,000 maunds of jute
stored in the godown. The source of fire could not be confirmed immediately as there was no electricity connection at the godown. Source: Financial Express
Exports of jute goods to India face fresh blow
Dhaka, January 20, 2011: Exports of local jute goods to India face a fresh blow as the Indian
customs authority has issued a directive to charge excise duty in the form of counter vailing duty (CVD) on import of the items from
Bangladesh, official and industry sources said. Indian buyers have communicated the new directive to local jute
exporters including Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) saying "Since January 18, 2011 Indian Petrapole customs have started claiming
that they have received directive from higher customs authority to collect this (excise) duty against import of jute
goods from Bangladesh."
The duty has implication of 8.0 per cent CVD along with 4.0 per cent
additional CVD and other charges of 2.0 per cent, which in total comes to around 14 per cent of the invoice value, the communication revealed.
It further said imported goods were getting exemption under this same circular since 2004 but the Indian customs have suddenly started
charging the duty after seven years. None of Indian mills/manufacturers/small units/sticher/weavers have to
pay this 8.0 per cent excise duty in India, it said, adding until now Indian customs authority on several occasions has declared that imported
goods also need not pay this excise duty and hence such duty in the form of CVD was exempted.
"Sudden imposition of around 14 per cent duty on imported jute goods
from Bangladesh is unfair. Law of the country says that no duty shall be imposed on imported materials, that is not paid by Indian
manufacturers," an Indian buyer said in its communication to BJMC. It is, according to the importer, a clear fact that no Indian
mills/manufacturers have to pay such duty and it is only imported jute goods from Bangladesh, which have to bear this burden. Source: Financial Express
Fire breaks out at Crescent Jute Mills
KHULNA, Jan 14: A devastating fire broke out at state-run Crescent Jute
Mills at Khalishpur industrial area in the city on Friday. Mill sources said the fire started at godown No. 12 near unit No. 3 at about 2pm.
Receiving information, fire service personnel from Daulatpur, Khalishpur
and Khulna rushed to the spot and (upto 5:30pm) were still trying to extinguish the blaze. Sources said there are about 20,000 maunds of jute
in the godown. Mill sources initially assumed that the fire might have originated from power short circuit. Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com
Private jute mills strike called
Dhaka, January 4, 2011 (bdnews24.com): Workers of private jute and textile mills have called off the indefinite strike from January 4,
2011 after the government assured them of a new wage structure and special allowance soon. A tripartite meeting on
Monday between the government, mill owners and workers' leaders successfully resolved the issues, averting the countrywide strike at the last moment.
The meeting was chaired by the state minister for labour Munnuzan Sufian and attended by labour secretary Nurul Haque
and owners and union leaders of a number of jute mills. The leaders of Bangladesh Private Owned Jute-Twine CBA Non-CBA Sramik League Combination Council informed the state minister
of the existing wage discrimination between government and private jute mills.
They claimed that the government mill workers get Tk 2450 a month as per the wage structure of 2006. A new wage commission has also been announced for the government-run jute mills in an effort to further
increase their wage. However, the minimum wage for the privately owned mill workers is Tk 560. Although a new wage structure had been announced
during the previous Awami League rule, the successive BNP government did not take any step to implement it, the councilleaders added.
State minister Sufian said that a board has been formed to determine minimum wage structure for the private jute mill workers. It will start its operations within the next 30 days and announce the wage structure within
four months.
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