He made these remarks as the chief guest at a bilateral symposium titled 'Costume, Culture, and Connection: A Bilateral Symposium on Traditional Attire and Cultural Exchange,' organised by China's Zhejiang Sci-Tech University at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) in Dhaka on Monday.
The Minister said that integrated initiatives involving industry, academia, and government are essential for the development of Bangladesh's textile and jute sectors. Cooperation with international educational institutions like China's Zhejiang Sci-Tech University presents an opportunity to further enhance textile education, research, and technical capabilities in Bangladesh.
He said that the country's textile institutes and vocational education systems must be developed in line with the demands of the modern world. To achieve this, the curricula of Bangladesh's textile institutes will be reviewed and aligned with China's modern textile education system. Additionally, training through experienced Chinese teachers and experts, as well as sending Bangladeshi faculty to China, will create opportunities for skill development.
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Khondkar Abdul Muktadir said that the world is rapidly moving towards a technology-driven economy. Students, teachers, and industry stakeholders must be integrated with artificial intelligence, modern technology, and digital management. The government is taking necessary initiatives to advance Bangladesh in line with global technological changes.
He said that Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector currently exports approximately $38-39 billion worth of products. However, there is scope to earn more foreign currency from the same export volume by producing high-value products and value-added textiles. Bangladesh's textile sector needs to move towards man-made fibres and value-added products.
The Minister said that the textile sector has played a significant role in the economic development of industrialised nations. While many countries have moved from this sector to others during economic transformation, Bangladesh still has opportunities for further development in the textile sector. By leveraging China's experience and technology, Bangladesh's transformation can be further accelerated.
Regarding the jute sector, Khondkar Abdul Muktadir said that jute is an important product intertwined with Bangladesh's heritage and emotion. The sector must be taken to new heights through increased productivity, new product innovation, and high-value jute product manufacturing. Through joint research initiatives with China, opportunities will be created to increase jute productivity, use new technologies, and produce value-added products.
He said that if jute can be transformed into blended fibres, fabrics, and other high-value products instead of being exported as raw jute, the sector's potential will multiply. Increased jute productivity will also benefit farmers and boost interest in jute cultivation.
The event was attended by Textiles and Jute Ministry Secretary Sharof Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Director General of the Textiles Department, representatives from China's Zhejiang Sci-Tech University and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Vice-Chancellor of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs from the textile and apparel industries.