Daily Times

KARACHI: The Pakistan Jute Mills Association (PJMA) has demanded the government to provide ample opportunities to jute industrial sector enabling the industry to increase export and earn handsome foreign exchange.

“Currently, the export of the produce stands at around $21 million that can be increased by 50 percent by mitigating the import of raw material along with guidance for jute cultivation in Pakistan.

“The cultivation in southern Punjab region was started seven to eight years ago on experimental basis on a small piece of land. Now it has grown to 400 acres solely on local industry’s initiative, but now we need the government’s support to augment the growth,” PJMA representatives said in a statement.

They said that local production of jute would not only eliminate the risks of international trade issues but would also save foreign exchange used for procurement of raw jute from neighbouring countries.

There are around nine jute mills in operation in private sector with combined capacity of 225,000 tonnes per annum while the current production is 150,000 tonnes per annum.

The industry has direct employment of more than 27,000, while it is providing indirect livelihood to 150,000 people. The industry provides $125 million imports substitution, besides contributing more than Rs 900 million to the economy in the form taxes, levies and surcharges.

All over the world the use of jute bags, being 100 percent biodegradable, has been suggested as the best option to curb plastic pollution.

Many countries, including India and Bangladesh, have declared jute as the only source for the grain and wheat storage as packaging material.

India and Bangladesh are the biggest exporter of jute in the world. Unfortunately in Pakistan, this potential has not been explored yet despite the fact Pakistan has more fertile land for the cultivation of the crop.

Published in Daily Times, July 22^nd 2018.