PM stresses value added teas for earning foreign currencies

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked all concerned to add value to tea instead of only selling tea leaves in bulk as the demand for different variety of teas is increasing globally.

"People's taste has now changed. Different kinds of tea are now available. Produce aroma tea. The demand for teas having various flavours is now very high globally. Special attention is required to this end alongside producing tea," she said while addressing the inaugural session of the tea festival organized marking the ‘National Tea Day’ at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital on Tuesday (June 4) morning.

She also conferred the National Tea Award 2024 on different persons, organisations and companies in eight categories, reports BSS.

The prime minister asked the tea garden owners and tea businessmen to add value to the tea.

"If you add value to tea, you will get more money comparing to the sale of tea leaves abundantly as the demand for aroma tea is increasing globally day by day," she said.

Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for research to ensure multifaceted use of tea, its production and marketing.

"We have to make sure multifaceted use of tea such as aroma tea. We can earn foreign currencies by exporting value added teas," she said.

The premier said research is being conducted to produce tea from jute leaves as experts believe that jute tea can help reduce sugar in blood as its leaves taste bitter.

She also suggested using Kanakchapa flavour in tea through research as tulshi tea, jasmine tea, herbal tea and masla tea are available in markets.

She asked the tea businessmen to produce zinger, lemon, bay leave, cardamom, cinnamon and clove flavoured tea as well.

Presided over by State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu, the function was also addressed by the ministry's Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman Tipu Munshi, Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Selim Uddin, and Chairman of Bangladesh Tea Board Major General Md Ashraful Islam, among others.

A documentary on the development of Bangladesh tea industries made by Bangladesh Tea Board was screened on the occasion.