Country to observe first National Tea Day on Friday

Bangladesh will observe its first National Tea Day on June 4 marking the contribution of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the country’s tea industry on his birth centenary.

“The day will be officially inaugurated at a programme at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium at 10:00 am on Friday. The event will include a discussion and a daylong tea exhibition showcasing tea products from different organisations and artifacts from Bangabandhu Pavilion and Tea Museum situated in Srimangal,” said commerce minister Tipu Munshi.

The minister said although the country’s tea production has significantly increased, tea export had not and it is due to a growing demand in the local market.

He said this while addressing a virtual press briefing on the National Tea Day, said a press release on Wednesday.

Tipu Munshi said that Bangladesh’s tea production rose to a record 96.07 million kilograms in 2019 compared to 31.38 million kilograms in 1970.

Bangladesh earned Tk35 crore from exporting 2.19 million kilograms of tea to 19 countries in 2020, he added.

The commerce minister said cultivation of tea on plain lands in Panchagarh started in 1996 under the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“The government is providing all necessary assistance to encourage tea production there (Panchagarh). Necessary assistance is also being provided to tea workers,” the minister said.

Bangladesh Tea Board Chairman Major General Md Zahirul Islam presented the welcome speech at the virtual briefing.