Commerce minister Tipu Munshi on Friday said the government has taken necessary measures to increase tea production capacity as there is a huge demand for Bangladeshi tea in abroad.
He said by increasing the production of tea, it is possible to meet the domestic demand and export it abroad.
The commerce minister made the remarks while inaugurating "First National Tea Day-2021" organised by Bangladesh Tea Board at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital.
Minister mentioned that Father of the nation Bangabandhu contributed to a large extent for the development of the tea industry and the welfare of the tea workers as the Chairman of the Tea Board. Following this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, daughter of Bangabandhu, has given directions to increase tea production in the country.
He further said “Production of tea began in Panchagarh, in the northern part of the country in 1996 on the instructions of the Prime Minister. There is huge potential for tea production there and farmers are benefiting by producing tea. Tea production is also increasing at Thakurgaon and Lalmonirhat. Tea is also being produced on flat lands and tea production is increasing day by day.”
“Tea is a potential export product of Bangladesh. The domestic demand of tea in the country is also increasing day by day”, he added.
Tipu Munshi mentioned that due to various initiatives taken by the Prime Minister, the purchasing power of the people of the country has increased more than ever before. Now, the people of the villages also drink tea regularly. In 2019, tea production in 167 tea gardens of the country was 96.07 million kg. Of this, 0.60 million kg of tea was exported. In 2020, the production was 86.39 million kg, and the export was 2.17 million kg. In 2011, the country's total tea production was only 59.13 million kg.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed attended the event as special guest.
While addressing, he said that with the increase of demand, tea production in the country has also increased a lot. The government is providing all facilities to increase tea production in the country. Workers engaged in the tea industry are getting many opportunities. There are more opportunities to increase tea production in the country.
“Tea production will increase if the necessary support is provided by exchanging views with the entrepreneurs of the tea industry. This will further develop the tea industry”, he said.
The Commerce Minister, the chief guest of the function, inaugurated the first National Tea Day by flying balloons and cutting ribbon. Later, the Commerce Minister and Special the Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment toured the tea exhibition.
A laser show titled 'Bangabandhu and Tea Industry' was screened at the time. The Commerce Minister officially released BT-22 and BT-23 clones of improved variety of tea.
