State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam. File photo

NARAYANGANJ, July 15, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam today said the government is taking various initiatives to make the handloom industry more competitive and sustainable through development, enhancement of weavers' skills and adoption of modern technology.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the Handloom Training Centre and Basic Centre at Araihazar upazila in Narayanganj.

The state minister said the newly inaugurated centre marks an important milestone in the development of Bangladesh's handloom industry.

"This centre is not merely a building; it is an important platform for producing skilled weavers, introducing modern technology, promoting innovative designs and creating new entrepreneurs," he said.

He said Araihazar has long been a handloom-intensive area and institutional services for weavers began there with the establishment of a Basic Centre in 1987. The centre now covers 51 primary and two secondary weavers' cooperative societies.

Through the centre, loans worth around Taka 17.49 crore have so far been disbursed among 2,660 weavers, he added.

Shariful Alam said handloom products including Jamdani, Benarasi, three-piece dresses and mosquito nets produced in Araihazar and adjoining areas represent an important part of Bangladesh's culture and economy.

He said the government is working to preserve and modernize traditional products like Muslin, Jamdani, Benarasi and other GI products while expanding their presence in the international market. 

Work on the Muslin Palli and Jamdani Palli projects in Rupganj is also underway.

The state minister also called upon investors to come forward to invest in environment-friendly jute products and help revive the jute industry.

Member of Parliament Nazrul Islam Azad, Secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute Sharf Uddin Ahmed Choudhury and other officials attended the programme.