Jute body to compile database for traders

In a bid to help exporters report the problems they face with tariffs and trade barriers, the International Jute Study Group ( IJSG) will compile a database of tariff, non-tariff and logistic information.

Associate members of the group from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and USA have been asked to submit their models to IJSG secretariat.

The decision for the databse was taken at the recent eighth meeting of the Private Sector Consultative Board (PSCB) at Hanoi, Vietnam, in view of the fact that the industries were facing problems on tariff and non-tariff barriers between producing and consuming countries.

The PSCB has appealed to all importing countries to suitably or reduce tariffs and remove trade barriers on jute fibre, products, machinery and spares.

The existence of suspended duties are sometimes not known to traders, and also, regulations in some countries that do not allow the use of jute bags without disposal protocols are a hindrance to jute trade, the IJSG said The biggest barriers arise from chemicals and phytochrome, the group said.

The move was propelled by the recent problems faced by the exporting and importing jute community in Brazil and UK regarding use of hessian cloth and soil saver. The international jute forum is involved in discussions regarding the issues.

The PSCB has also initiated a study for a disposal protocol on jute and its products. This effort will be supplemented by the formation of an International Standard Jute Contract.

The Board has already written to the European jute international forum - Eurojute - about this. The issue will be discussed at Eurojute's meeting this month. The PSCB and IJSG are also discussing with the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) to declare 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibres.

There were also demands at the PSCB meeting to treat raw jute as an agro-based product, thereby, allowing it to get more incentives.