Twelve individuals and organisations will receive the National Jute Award under 11 categories on March 6 for their contributions to development of the jute sector.

The 11 categories are best jute grower, best jute seed producer, best multi-jute products producer jute mill, best jute product producer government jute mill, best jute product producer non-government jute mill, best raw jute exporter, best jute product exporter, best jute fibre, best multi-jute product exporter, best jute product producer and highest jute supplier organisation and best multi-jute product producer, reports the UNB.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hand over the awards at a ceremony at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here on March 6 marking the National Jute Day-2018. She will also inaugurate a three-day jute fair there.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam came up with the information at a press briefing at the secretariat. 

Besides, the Prime Minister will hand over awards to six winners of a countrywide essay competition in two categories at the same function.

Textiles and Jute Minister Md Emaj Uddin Pramanik said the Awami League government ensured the usage of jute bags and package for 17 products, including rice, wheat, maize, onion, potato, flour, as per the ‘Mandatory Jute Packaging Act-2010.

This initiative has increased the demand for jute bags in our domestic market, the minister added.

The minister said his ministry has been able to reduce the losses of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation.

At least 235 kinds of jute products will be displayed at the three-day fair, he said.