Commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Wednesday expressed his hope to find out a way to protect the national resource tea from the vicious cycle of the tea industry.
聽鈥業f we can ensure balanced distribution, then we鈥檒l be able to find out a way forward to protect the national resource tea from the vicious cycle of the tea industry. We鈥檒l have to take integrated steps to seize the vast potentials of the tea industry,鈥� he said.
He also called upon all to highlight the tea industry both at local and international markets and said that the government was working to enhance the export of tea after meeting the local demand.
The commerce adviser was addressing a function marking the 5th National Tea Day held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Referring to the issue of not getting fair prices for tea, he said that if 9.30 crore kilogram of tea was produced in the country, its market value stood at Tk 3,700-4,000 crore. However, if it is converted into street value, then an expected expenditure of about Tk 8,000-10,000 crore happens at consumer level, he said.
Putting emphasis on ensuring the prosperity of the tea gardens, the commerce adviser said that concerted efforts were needed in this regard from the tea garden owners and the workers.
He also underscored the need for ensuring diversification of tea products and making those attractive.
Presided over by commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Bangladesh Tea Board chairman Major General Sheikh Mohammad Sarwar Hossain gave the address of welcome.
Tea Traders Association of Bangladesh president Shah Moinuddin Hasan, Bangladesh Tea Association president Kamran T Rahman, National Tea Award-2024 winner and tea worker Jesmin Akhter and Bangladesh Tea Workers Union acting president Nripen Pal spoke on the occasion.
The commerce adviser handed over crests and certificates to the winners of the National Tea Award 2025 in eight categories and two special awards in the highest tea producing factory category.
Earlier, Bashir inaugurated the operations of the 5th National Tea Day through releasing balloons. Later, he visited various stalls set up in the tea fair.
