Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked all concerned to add value to tea instead of only selling tea leaves in bulk as the demand for diversified tea products is increasing globally.

"People's taste has now changed. Different kinds of tea are now available. Produce aroma tea. The demand for tea with various flavours is now very high globally. Special attention is required to this end alongside producing tea," she said.

The premier was inaugurating the tea festival as the chief guest marking celebration of the 4th "National Tea Day 2024" at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday morning.

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

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 compared to (only) 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 the multifaceted use of tea, its production and marketing.


Tea export sees 33% surge in Bangladesh in a yearTea export sees 33% surge in Bangladesh in a year
"We have to make sure multifaceted use of tea such as aroma tea. We can earn foreign currencies by exporting value-added tea," 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 the 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.

As the prime minister reached the venue, she was received by children with a Monipuri dance.

She later took part in a group photo session with the award winners.

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

The date June 4 has been declared as The National Tea Day to commemorate Bangabandhu's contribution to the tea industry and make the date of his joining to the Tea Board as its chairman ever memorable.

Bangabandhu had played a significant role in sustainable development of the tea industry during his tenure to the Tea Board from June 4, 1957 to October 23, 1958.