Expressing concern over the state of affairs of the jute industry, CEO of the United Jute Mills Group Sharmeen Khan has urged the government to play a role of facilitator for the sick jute industry and announce pragmatic steps for its revival which is providing livelihood to skilled workforce. "The Jute industry in Pakistan is under tremendous pressure due to challenges as these industries are not running to their full capacity due to low demand and stiff competition from woven polypropylene and other health hazardous packaging material which are used in a large quantity in the country," Sharmeen told Business Recorder.
Sharmeen added that most of the jute mills have closed down their operations as the business has become unviable. She said the government needs to take pragmatic steps for the jute industry as soaring prices of raw material have not only crippled this industry but also rendered workers jobless. According to her, Pakistan's jute industry, which is reliant on imported jute from Bangladesh, is at the brink of collapse due to soaring prices of raw material. She urged the government to convince Bangladesh for lowering the prices of raw material so that the local industry may revive. "Since jute is used in many products and as a main storage material for eatable items (like rice, wheat), the jute industry needs to be given protection," she added.
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