Dhaka, Sept. 21 -- Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said the government will take all necessary steps, alongside a long-term plan, to restore the economic viability of the country's tea sector, stressing that the industry must move beyond dependence on loans and become a self-sustaining contributor to the national economy through regular revenue, tax and VAT payments.

Muktadir made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of an advisory committee formed to develop Bangladesh's tea industry, held at the Commerce Ministry conference room in the secretariat on Sunday.

The minister said a large number of workers' livelihoods are tied to the tea industry, and the closure or bankruptcy of any garden directly affects workers'...