Ninth Session of the Council of the IJSG begins in Dhaka

The two-day Ninth Session of the Council of the International Jute Study Group (IJSG) begins in Dhaka at its Secretariat on 22 April 2008. Ms. Elisabeth Andrea BÖsch Malinen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland and Chairperson of the IJSG Council presided over the meeting.

The Council, the highest authority of the IJSG, discussed establishment matters as well as administrative and financial matters of the Group. A series of important issues including membership of the Group, development of market for jute products, observance of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, assessment of world jute situation and other related matters to formulate appropriate strategies for the growth of the world jute sector were discussed during the Session.  Bangladesh and India presented country paper on jute trade information add statistics of their countries.

The Chairperson in her opening remarks expressed her happiness about the activities undertaken by the IJSG Secretariat for the enhancement of the global jute sector which will eventually benefit the millions of people including the poor farmers and for its sustainable development.

The Secretary General in his statement touched on the various efforts made by the Secretariat in implementing projects for developing technologies and products of jute and on the more effective involvement of the private sector in the policy making of the concerned countries. He hoped that with active support of the member countries it will be possible to strengthen the organisation by wooing more members.

The EC Delegate commented that the International Commodity Bodies (ICBs) have to contribute effectively to market functioning mainly to sustainable development within its three main pillars: economy, social and environmental which the EC like to see implemented. The EU Study report also recognised the important role of ICBs as fora for cooperation between producer and consumer countries, both at the level of the government and the private sector.

The Delegate of India remarked that IJSG as the ICB for jute and allied  fibres should have an important role regarding the observance of the International year of Natural Fibres (IYNF) 2009. The IJSG should strive to make its Headquarters an international resource centre for all matters pertaining to jute and kenaf. He added that recognising the importance of jute to farmers and workers, the Govt. of India has announced National Jute Policy 2005 with the objective to enable the jute industry to build world class manufacturing capabilities.

The Secretary, Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Govt. of Bangladesh informed the meeting that the govt. of Bangladesh has adopted National Jute Policy 2008 whose main objectives are to facilitate the jute sector in Bangladesh to attain and sustain the global standing in production of raw jute and in the manufacture of jute goods. He added that the policy would seek to strengthen R&D activities to ensure remunerative prices to the jute farmers. He also supported the idea of making joint efforts in increasing the numbers of the members.

Alongwith all Members of IJSG - Bangladesh, India, Switzerland, and European Community-EC, representing its 27 Member States, Associate Members and representatives of Pakistan, The Philippines, Thailand, The Russian Federation and Vietnam as Observers attended the Session.

• Speech of the Chairperson
• Statement of the Secretary General
• Statement of the representative of the European Commission
• Speech by the Secretary, Ministry of Textiles & Jute, Government of Bangladesh

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Eighth Meeting of the PSCB of the IJSG held in Hanoi

The Eighth Meeting of the Private Sector Consultative Board (PSCB) of the International Jute Study Group (IJSG) was held at Hanoi Jute Company in Hanoi, Vietnam on 17-18 March 2008. H.E. Mr. Md. Enamul Kabir, Ambassador of Bangladesh in Vietnam inaugurated the meeting. Mr. Sanjay Kajaria, Chairman of the PSCB presided over the meeting while Mr. Sudripta Roy, Secretary General of the IJSG was present and made a statement.

H.E. the Ambassador of Bangladesh in Vietnam stated that scientists and others engaged in green movement are working to save the ecology of the earth and favour the use of natural products like jute and other natural fibres. He stressed diversification of jute products that would satisfy consumers’ taste. The Secretary General, IJSG in his statement remarked that it is high time to do something tangible that would leave a mark on the sustainable development of the jute sector. The Chairman of the PSCB said, to take advantage of the new openings of the market, appropriate promotional efforts are needed in the areas of market development.

The meeting was open to all Associate Members of the IJSG. The PSCB reviewed the status of the Associate Members of the IJSG and recommended that the PSCB should enlarge its members to include exporters, importers, traders, market experts, manufacturers to make the Board more dynamic and effective. The Board insisted on holding more workshops/symposiums in suitable countries on jute and allied fibres to promote sharing of information on R&D activities as well as on development of technologies. Moreover it was decided to take necessary steps to compile a database of tariffs on Jute and Jute products and non-tariff barriers as well as logistic barriers relating to Jute and Jute products in different producing and importing countries. The PSCB recommended to the Council to appeal to all importing countries to suitably remove/reduce tariffs and to remove non-tariff barriers on jute, jute products, jute machinery and spares.

The PSCB stressed on the necessity of increasing cooperation among the buyers’ and consumers’ organisations. The Board also suggested initiating a study for Disposal Protocol for Jute Products. The meeting discussed other important issues like strategy for promotion of technical textiles including geo-textiles, training of jute mills personnel and observance of the International Year of Natural Fibres (IYNF) 2009.

At present there are 62 Associate Members of the IJSG representing Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Cote d’Ivoire, Switzerland, USA, Nepal, Japan, Germany and Vietnam.

Record of Decisions of the Eighth PSCB Meeting

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International Symposium on Jute and Allied Fibres held at Kolkata

An International Symposium on Jute and Allied Fibres Production, Utilisation and Marketing was held during 9-12 January, 2008 at the Bhasha Bhavan, National Library in Kolkata, India. The Symposium was organised by the Indian Fibre Society in collaboration with the Central Research Institute for Jute & Allied Fibres (CRIJAF) and National Institute for Research on Jute & Allied Fibres Technology (NIRJAFT). The event was supported by the Office of the Jute Commissioner and Jute manufacturing Development Council (JMDC), Govt. of India, and Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) along with others. The International Jute Study Group (IJSG), one of the partners, provided funding support.

Mr. Sudripta Roy, the Secretary General of the IJSG spoke as a Guest of Honour in the inaugural ceremony held in the evening of 9 January 2008 at the Hotel Taj Bengal, Kolkata. Mr. Roy presented a paper on Global Situation of the Jute Industries and Future Road Map in the Theme Session. He also chaired the Session on Country Reports.

In the Technical Session, Dr. Latifa Binte Lutfar, Operations Officer, IJSG presented a paper entitled Technologies for Creating Improved Value Added Jute Products with Emphasis on Pulp and Paper.

The symposium was treated as a curtain-raiser to observe the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009 with the purpose to sensitize and hold discussion among the stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the sector throughout the production-marketing–consumption chain. The papers in the Technical Sessions mainly confined with crop production, crop protection, biotechnology, post harvest and quality management, manufacturing processes, technical textiles, biomass utilization, ecology and marketing.

Global Situation of Jute Industries and Future Road Map

Sudripta Roy, IJSG Secretary General

Technologies for Creating Improved Value-added Jute Products with Emphasis on Pulp and Paper

Latifa Binte Lutfar & Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Operations Officer & Consultant Operations, IJSG

IJSG Secretary General visited the IITF 2007 in New Delhi

The India International Trade Fair (IITF 2007) was held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from November 14-27, 2007 organised by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO). This big annual event exhibited industrial development in India and other parts of the world and also provided a common platform for the manufacturers, traders, exporters and importers to interact.

The exhibits included in the fair were: Jute, Coir Products, Textiles, Garments, Household Appliance, Kitchen Appliances, Processed food, Beverages, Confectionery, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Cosmetics, Bodycare & Health care products, Telecommunication, Power sector, Electronic Sector, Furniture, Home Furnishings, Sports Goods, Toys, Engineering Goods etc.

The Secretary General of the IJSG, Mr. Sudripta Roy visited the jute pavilion of the IITF 2007 under the banner of Manufactures Development Council (JMDC) and National Centre for Jute Diversification (NCJD). He was impressed to see that a lot of jute lovers and manufacturers assembled in the exhibition who were fascinated by the display of wide range of jute products. Mr. Sudripta Roy appreciated the management of the JMDC for organizing the pavilion proficiently with an appealing expression: ‘Surprisingly Jute.’ Mr. Dewan Sayeedul Hassan, Media and Information Officer, Mr. Farquue Hossain, Finance and Administrative Officer of the IJSG alongwith Market Promotion Officers of the JMDC Mr. T.K. Saha and Mr. Debdoot Mukherjee were also present during the visit of the IJSG Secretary General.

Among the 41 stalls in the jute pavilion, two Small-Scale Entrepreneurs namely Bhabna Association for Peoples Upliftment (BAPU) and DHARTI of the IJSG sponsored and Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) funded project entitled Small-Scale Entrepreneurship Development in Diversified Jute Products (India Part) also participated. Various diversified jute products which included home textiles, a variety of bags, wall hangings, floor coverings, gift & novelties, fashion jewelry, footwear, handicrafts, soft luggage etc. were displayed in the fair.

Video Clip:

   Visit of SG at the Jute Pavilion of IITF 2007

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IJSG Secretary General meets Head of Delegation of EU in Bangladesh

The IJSG Secretary General Mr. Sudripta Roy met His Excellency Dr. Stefan Frowein, Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Bangladesh at his office in Dhaka on 6 November 2007.

They discussed several issues related to the activities of the IJSG and overall jute economy. The IJSG Secretary General thanked His Excellency for his keen interest in the activities of the Group and for the development of the jute sector. Mr. Roy said that people all over the world are becoming more inclined to use more natural fibre products in view of the environmental friendliness. He said that IJSG Secretariat is trying its best to rebuild the image of jute. The Secretary General highlighted the role of the member countries of the IJSG in increasing the number of members to make the Group more vibrant and of international character.

Apart from the effective role and determined efforts from the member governments, Dr. Stefan Frowein emphasized on more involvement of the private sector in the Group which would promote jute trade. He underlined the need for enhanced marketing opportunities for jute and jute products of improved quality through the use of new technology. Dr. Frowein assured of all possible assistance to strengthen the activities of the Group.

Mr. Charles Whiteley, First Secretary and Ms. Jenni Christensen, Trade Programme Manager of the European Union and Mr. Md. Faruque Hossain, Finance & Administrative Officer and Mr. Dewan Sayeedul Hassan, Media and Information Officer of the IJSG were present during the discussion.

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IJSG Secretary General meets High Commissioner of Pakistan in Bangladesh

The IJSG Secretary General Mr. Sudripta Roy met His Excellency Mr. Alamgir Babar, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Bangladesh at his office in Dhaka on 5 November 2007. Mr. Babar warmly greeted Mr. Roy for assuming the office of the Secretary General of the IJSG.

They discussed several issues related to the jute sector particularly the IJSG membership issue. The IJSG Secretary General thanked His Excellency for his active role as regards joining of Pakistan to IJSG as full member and his keen interest for the development of the jute sector. Mr. Roy said that people all over the world are becoming more inclined to use more natural fibre products in view of the environmental friendliness. He hoped that the valuable support from the government of Pakistan would help tide over all the difficulties to make the jute sector a viable and flourishing one.  

Apart from the effective role and determined efforts from the member governments, Mr. Babar emphasized on more involvement of the private sector in the Group which would enhance the image of the organisation as well as help promotion of world jute economy. He assured of all possible assistance in the activities of the Group.

Mr. Md. Faruque Hossain, Finance and Administrative Officer and Mr. Dewan Sayeedul Hassan, Media and Information Officer of the IJSG and Ms. Roubina Taufiq Shah, Commercial Secretary to the High Commission of Pakistan were present during the discussion.

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IJSG Secretary General meets the Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh for Textiles and Jute

The new Secretary General of the International Jute Study Group (IJSG) Mr. Sudripta Roy met the Honourable Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh for Textiles and Jute Mrs. Geeteara Safiya Choudhury at her office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka on 19 September 2007.

They discussed various matters related to the jute economy, various challenges faced by the jute industry in relation to production, availability of quality raw materials, necessity for technology improvement as well as the IJSG membership issue. They opined that for the existence of the Group, the present member countries should sincerely take initiative to involve more potential countries to the Group as full members to enable the IJSG to undertake more programmes. During the discussion it was stressed on producing innovative diversified products to harmonize with the consumers’ choice and develop new market opportunities.

The New Secretary General hoped that he would get the highest support from the government of Bangladesh to move ahead with the objectives of the Group and make the organisation an effective forum to work for the betterment of the global jute sector. Mr. Roy also expressed his hope that government of Bangladesh would join hands with IJSG in carrying out activities and programmes of the Group in respect of observance of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009. Mrs. Chowdhury assured of all possible assistance in the activities of the Group.

Mr. Md. Faruque Hossain, Finance and Administrative Officer and Mr. Dewan Sayeedul Hassan, Media and Information Officer of the IJSG were present during the discussion.

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IJSG Secretary General meets the Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh for Foreign Affairs

The new Secretary General of the IJSG Mr. Sudripta Roy met the Honourable Adviser to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh for Foreign Affairs Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office in Dhaka on 17 September 2007. They discussed various issues related to the jute economy and the IJSG membership. The IJSG Secretary General thanked the Honourable Adviser for the support extended by him to strengthen the IJSG Membership drive and for his keen interest shown at all times for the development of the jute sector. Mr. Roy hoped that he would get the utmost cooperation from the government of Bangladesh. Dr. Chowdhury assured of all possible assistance in the activities of the Group.

Mr. Md. Faruque Hossain, Finance and Administrative Officer, Dr. Latifa Binte Lutfar, Operations Officer and Mr. Md Siddiqur Rahman, Consultant (Operations) of the IJSG were present during the visit.

Later, the new Secretary General also met Mr. Md. Touhid Hossain, Secretary in charge, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. On the same day he also visited Juto –Fibre Glass Industry, an organisation of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) at Tarabo, Rupganj, Narayanganj.

Advisor to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh for Foreign Affairs Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and the new Secretary General of the IJSG Mr. Sudripta Roy are in discussion

Mr. Md. Touhid Hossain, Secretary in charge, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh and the new Secretary General of the IJSG Mr. Sudripta Roy are seen

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The newly joined Secretary General of the IJSG Mr. Sudripta Roy met Mr. Md. Abdur Rashid Sarkar, Secretary of Ministry of Textiles and Jute, Bangladesh at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka on 12 September 2007.

Mr. Sarkar welcomed Mr. Roy for assuming the office of the Secretary General of the IJSG. They discussed various issues specially the membership issue. They emphasized on getting involvement of the countries like China, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal Vietnam and Japan to the Group. They opined that for the existence of the Group, the present member countries should sincerely take initiative in this regard. Mr. Sarkar showed his interest to share the experiences in the diversification of jute between Bangladesh and India to encourage people to use more natural fibre products. Mr. Sarkar sought assistance of IJSG regarding the possibilities of establishing Pulp and Paper factories in the jute growing regions. The new Secretary General assured him to provide all possible help for the development of the jute sector and hoped that he would also get the support and cooperation from the government of Bangladesh.

Mr. Md. Faruque Hossain, Finance and Administrative Officer and Mr. Dewan Sayeedul Hassan, Media and Information Officer of the IJSG were present during the discussion.

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IJSG Secretary General Mr. Sudripta Roy met Ms. Elisabeth Andrea BÖsch Malinen, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland and Chairperson of the IJSG Council at her office in Dhaka on 12 September 2007.  

Ms. Elisabeth Andrea BÖsch Malinen warmly welcomed Mr. Roy for assuming the office of Secretary General of the IJSG. They discussed several issues particularly the membership issue. They agreed on the fact that the membership drive is not a task of the IJSG alone, conversely, it is also the responsibility of the member countries. Focusing on 3 or 4 potential countries, joint efforts in this regard would yield positive results. The Secretariat should approach the private sector to join the Group as Associate members. It would then be easier to persuade their respective governments to become the full member of the IJSG. They opined that the observance of the International Year of Natural Fibre (IYNF) 2009 should be in a befitting manner. The quality of the output from the various project activities undertaken by the Group was especially emphasized. 

Ms. Malinen expressed her hope that Mr. Roy would show admirable performance and take suitable steps for the growth of the world jute economy and promote generic image of jute. The new Secretary General sought all cooperation from the Chairperson as well as her country.

Mr. Md. Faruque Hossain, Finance and Administrative Officer and Mr. Dewan Sayeedul Hassan, Media and Information Officer of the IJSG were present during the discussion

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SUDRIPTA ROY - NEW SECRETARY GENERAL OF IJSG

Mr. Sudripta Roy joined as the new Secretary General of the International Jute Study Group (IJSG) at its headquarters in Dhaka on September 06, 2007 replacing Mr. A.F.M. Sarwar Kamal (Bangladesh).  Mr. Roy, a national of India, is a member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and has put in 29 years in the civil service of the Government of India and holding a number of important positions.

Prior to Joining the IJSG, he was working as the Joint Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Textiles and looking after the two divisions of natural fibres i.e. Cotton and Jute along with the industry sector. He was also holding the additional charge of Jute Commissioner of India.  He took several initiatives in making the jute industry modern and vibrant through modernization and diversification of jute products. He was involved in preparing a bill for the creation of “The Jute Board” which has been introduced in the Parliament of India. This bill provides for bringing numerous agencies dealing with the production, marketing and manufacturing of jute under one roof to create necessary synergy. Mr. Roy was Director in Boards of National Jute Manufacturers Corporation Limited (NJMC), the Jute Corporation of India (JCI), the Jute Manufacturers Development Council (JMDC) and National Council for Jute Development (NCJD). He was also a member of Governing Council of Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA), a Research and Development Organisation.

Besides textiles, he worked in the Ministries of Urban Development, Commerce and Supply, Environment, Revenue, Rural Development, Health, General Administration and Education both in the Government of India and in Government of Himachal Pradesh.

The most important task before him as the third Secretary General of the IJSG will be:

(a) to ensure the thriving existence of this international body;

(b) revive and revitalize the jute fibre as a natural fibre which would provide livelihood opportunities to millions of  farmers and breathe new life in a decadent industry;

(c) provide proper focus to allied natural fibres like kenaf, sisal, coir and hemp;

(d) promote diversification of these natural fibres mainly in the areas of technical textiles like geotextiles and agro textiles;

The immediate priorities for him would be to embark upon a massive membership drive to bring into the fold all stakeholders of natural fibres which would include not only allied fibres using nation states but also a large world wide private sector.

It may be mentioned that Mr. Sudripta Roy was appointed as the Secretary General of the IJSG for a period of three years at its eighth Session of the Council held during 3 May 2007.

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