Dhaka, May 19 -- Bangladesh can boost its jute sector export earnings from the current $1 billion to up to $7 billion, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of diversified jute products fair at the Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC) in the capital's Farmgate on Tuesday.

Recalling the golden era of the sector, the minister noted that in the 1972-73 fiscal year, jute and jute goods accounted for nearly 90 percent of the country's total export earnings -- contributing $313 million out of a total $348 million.

"While Bangladesh's total export earnings have now risen to $50-55 billion, jute's contribution remains stagnant at around $1 billion," Muktadir said.

"To tap int...