Use of jute in the packaging industry, instead of plastic materials, will help bolster the jute sector, they said.

The Jute Diversification Promotion Centre of Jute ministry organised the discussion in collaboration with the International Jute Study Group.

The speakers pointed out that obsolete technology and lack of proper management and credit are the major obstacles to diversifying the jute products.

They also said that negligent attitude of the successive governments to the jute sector over the years had brought the sector on the verge of ruination.

"The jute sector could not contribute to the economy significantly due to lack of proper management and proper attention over the years," said State Minister for Jute Lutfur Rahman Azad.

President of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Abdul Awal Mintoo urged the government to declare jute enterprises as agro-based industries.

In a keynote paper titled 'From jute industry to diversified jute industry', Managing Director of Alpha Group Limited Samsul Huda Ahmed said that high interest on bank loan was one of the major obstacles to developing the diversified jute industry.

"Jute is not only economically viable for the country but also eco-friendly," he said.