National
PM Sheikh Hasina Calls for Jute Product Diversification to Tap Export Potential
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the necessity of diversifying jute products to meet international market demands, aiming to unlock significant export potential.
Speaking at the opening of six jute mills and the three-day multipurpose jute product fair-2024 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka on National Jute Day-2024, she underscored the importance of exploring new export markets for jute goods tailored to the preferences of different countries. Observing March 06 as National Jute Day this year, themed ‘Bangabandhur Sonar Desh, Smart Pat Shilper Bangladesh’ (Bangabandhu’s golden country to be Bangladesh with smart jute industries), the Prime Minister highlighted the pivotal role of jute in Bangladesh’s economy.
She emphasized the potential for jute to contribute significantly to the country’s export basket and urged authorities to focus on producing new goods, exploring new markets, and boosting jute product exports. Sheikh Hasina stressed the need to provide incentives for jute as both an agro-product and an export-oriented commodity, acknowledging its environmental friendliness and vast market potential worldwide.
At the event, Prime Minister Hasina honored individuals and organizations for their contributions to the jute sector. Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak chaired the event, with the participation of officials and stakeholders from the textiles and jute industry. Newly opened jute mills, now operated under private ventures after being leased out by BJMC, were also inaugurated during the ceremony.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
