DHAKA: Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith said the government is stepping on to produce viscose (fiber) from jute as an alternative to cotton with an aim to reduce import dependency.

He made the remark while addressing the inaugural program of ‘Global Cotton Summit-2018’ organized by Bangladesh Cotton Association in city’s Radisson Blu hotel on Friday (February 23).

Muhuth said, “Our readymade garment industry is mostly depended on import based raw materials. On the other hand, we are producing only 3 percent cotton of our demand locally and the rest 97 percent is being imported from abroad. We have to get out of this situation. That is why government is stepping on to produce viscose as an alternative to meet the demand.”

Viscose, more commonly known in the U.S. as Rayon, is a man-made fiber created from cellulose chemically extracted from trees. It's a little weaker in strength than cotton. 

BDST: 1510 HRS, FEB 23, 2018
AP