Eco-friendly paper and viscose can be processed from the world-class jute of Bangladesh, said an expert at a seminar yesterday.

Dr Asaduzzaman, director (technical) of the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute was addressing the seminar on “Eco-friendly pulp and paper processing from jute”, organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry at its Motijheel office, said a press release.

The government is planning to start a plant for processing viscose, as it is estimated by the year 2021 worldwide market of viscose will be over $16 billion, added the expert.

Bangladesh annually imports 500-600 tonnes of pulp worth US$ 600 million, said DCCI President Abul Kasem Khan.

He urged the revival of the “Golden Fibre” to meet the entire demand for making paper.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam assured that if private sector is interested to establish paper or textile mills using pulp and viscose then BJMC can provide them land for it.