(BSS) - Textile and Jute, Industry and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir today stressed the need for proper marketing of handloom products to explore its potential.

"Handloom products have a huge potential, so its proper marketing is very important,” he said while inaugurating a 10-day Handloom Fair at Bengal Shilpalaya in the capital.

Bangladesh Handloom Board and in association with Bengal Foundation arranged the fair.

Speaking on the occasion, Muktadir said in the future, the government will work with the stakeholders on how to cut handloom production costs and make materials easily available.

“Muslin and Jamdani will not survive if those are not priced high. We will work to bring back the lost tradition of the textile sector across the country and to the world, which will be reflected in the future," he said.

The textile minister said the history of the handloom industry in Bangladesh is quite old, while about 1.5 million people are involved in the traditional handloom industry.

The industry ranks second in rural employment and the contribution of the handloom sector in foreign exports is about 2.6 percent, he said.

Under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, he said, the government is working to strengthen cottage industries and rural economy with the philosophy of `Bangladesh first`.

Speaking as a special guest at the event, State Minister for the Textile and Jute Md Shariful Alam said Bangladesh Handloom Board is playing a vital role in building a high-income country through the development of the handloom industry.

Textile and Jute Secretary Bilquis Jahan Rimi presided over the meeting.

Bangladesh Handloom Board Chairman Abu Ahmed Siddique and board member Mohammad Mizanur Rahman also spoke.

Later, Textile and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and State Minister Md Shariful Alam visited different stalls of the fair.