'Save Rajshahi silk industries from ruination'

Silk traders and workers at a discussion held here yesterday demanded special allocation in the upcoming budget to save silk industries of Rajshahi region from ruination.
Reshom Shilpa Sartho Sangrakkhan Committee (RSSSC) and Barendra Unnayan Prochesta (BUP) jointly organised the discussion at GDRC auditorium.
Rajshahi Silk Industry and Factory Labourers' Union president Ataur Rahman chaired the discussion while BUP coordinator Rashed Ripon presented the keynote paper.
Bangladesh Silk Industry Owners' Association (BSIOA) president Manjur Faruk Chowdhury, former president Liaqat Ali, Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad conveynor Jamat Khan and several marginal farmers addressed among others.
The BSIOA president said Rajshahi silk is capable to compete in world market like China if the growers are provided with proper technologies. He revealed the country is now producing only 50 metric tons (MT) of silk yarn much lower than the demand of 350 MT.
He blame Bangladesh Sericulture Board and its research unit for growers' lack in interest in silk cultivation.