Bangladesh ban on raw jute exports hit Pakistani jute sector

As the export of raw jute of Bangladesh remains suspended until further notice puts Pakistani jute industry on verge of collapse. Under section 4 and 13 of the Bangladesh Jute Ordinance 1962, the export of raw jute will remain suspended until further notice for proper implementation of the Bangladesh Mandatory Jute Packaging Act-2009.

The Pakistan Jute Mills Association (PJMA) terms the matter as quite serious as Pakistan, being one of the biggest importers of Bangladesh jute, fulfils all the basic raw material requirements of its jute industry from single country imports.

The PJMA had been appealing to Government to intervene and get at least those consignments shipped for which the mills have made payments and the raw jute was waiting to be shipped at the ports.

Earlier, a similar ban was imposed for a month starting Nov 3.PJMA earlier had appealed at all forums including Bangladeshi High Commissioner and President SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Pakistani Government to help get immediately released its jute consignments for which LCs have already been established before the imposition of ban on jute export by Bangladesh.

Earlier the association has been raising its reservations and approaching pillar to post but no effort on the government level has been made to get this issue resolved. Jute industry in Pakistan is already on the verge of collapse and any barrier in supply would mean halt in production of jute products thus leaving thousands of its labour force jobless.

PJMA has made passionate appeal to the government of Bangladesh to reconsider its decision in the best interest of the business communities of both the countries. The association added that all stakeholders including provincial food departments and PASSCO shall reel down into difficulties due to non-availability of jute sacks. The storage of the crop yields especially of wheat, rice, grains, and potatoes are likely to go waste throughout the country given a scenario of no supply of sacks.