DHAKA: The government is going to raise both age limit and salary for real researchers, as the discovery of jute genome by Bangladeshi researchers generated high hopes for advances in intellectual property of the nation.     

Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury gave the announcement Thursday at a news conference a day after the Prime Minister disclosed in parliament the discovery made through jute genome sequencing.

“The matter is under process. Necessary papers have been prepared and those will be placed before the cabinet soon for approval,” said the minister.

She told journalists that, particularly, the age limit and salaries of the researchers who contributed to the genome sequencing of jute to encourage them in their work.

Replying to a question the minister said, “We didn’t close the jute mills. We rather want resurrection of the country’s jute industry and diversification of jute products.”

Lead researcher Dr. Maqsudul Alam told the press meet, “People will have to wait five years to reap benefit from the genome sequencing. We will try to cut short the timeframe.”

Professor of Biochemistry and Microbiology Department of Dhaka University Dr. Hasina Khan, Secretary-General of Bangladesh Jute Research Institute Kamal Uddin Ahmed and researcher Mahbub Jaman were among others present at the press meet.

BDST 1520 hrs June 17, 2010
UB/RS/SMS/MUA