Rajshahi: Cloth made from silk yarn is now being sold at the Rajshahi Silk Factory’s showroom. Renowned for its elegance, silk remains a top choice for festive occasions, drawing buyers from across the country during the Eid season.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, silk holds special prestige in the world of fabrics across the country. For this reason, Rajshahi is often called the “Silk City,” and even a train named Silk City runs on this route. When silk fabric is produced by a government factory, its appeal becomes even greater. As demand grows, so do sales.
The demand for Rajshahi silk is not limited to the local region; it now extends nationwide. Fabrics are produced directly at the Rajshahi Silk Factory and sold through its showroom. Many traders purchase fabrics from here, and buyers even come from Dhaka and Chattogram to collect them.
The journey of Rajshahi silk began in 1952 under government supervision, marking the first such initiative in Bangladesh. The Rajshahi Silk Factory, a state-owned establishment, was founded in 1961 and later came under the Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board after 1978. Despite facing financial losses and shutting down on November 30, 2002, the factory reopened at the end of 2017 after 16 years.
Following its reopening, 42 looms were repaired, and currently, 41 workers and weavers produce fabric on 19 looms. The previously closed showroom has been reopened, where garments produced by the government factory are now being sold. Silk yarn is extracted from silkworm cocoons, which are produced annually through sericulture farming by the Bangladesh Sericulture Development Board.
Since the factory resumed operations, 57,366 meters of fabric have been produced by January 2026, averaging around 7,000 meters annually. The factory’s showroom sells garments worth about 300,000 to 350,000 taka each month. The factory produces around 250 meters of cloth monthly, with garments sold at different prices in the showroom.
Rajshahi silk has been recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of the country, with several government projects underway to develop the silk sector. To meet yarn demand, mulberry trees are planted annually, and silk yarn production is expected to increase within a few years, enabling the country to produce silk entirely from domestic yarn.
Saidul Islam Tutul, Operation In-Charge of the Rajshahi Silk Factory, noted that fabric production is ongoing on 19 looms, though these looms are quite old, which makes production slow. Despite various obstacles, they produce five to ten yards of cloth daily, and the factory produces 100 percent pure silk fabric.
Tarikul Islam, Deputy Director of the Rajshahi Sericulture Development Board, stated that the silk industry is gradually developing, with new projects being introduced. A 150-million-taka “Green Leaf” project, once implemented, will further boost the sector. Several new parent breeds have already been developed, and the board now has 114 varieties. The number of mulberry varieties has also increased from 73 to 84. Plans are underway to modernize the factory and expand mulberry cultivation, with the goal of reestablishing Rajshahi silk as a well-known national brand.