The
International Jute Study Group (IJSG) is an intergovernmental
body set up under the aegis of UNCTAD with Headquarters in
Dhaka, Bangladesh to function as the International Commodity
Body (ICB) for Jute, Kenaf and other Allied Fibres. It formally
entered into force on 27 April 2002. The IJSG is the legal
successor to the erstwhile International Jute Organisation (IJO).
What are the objectives of the Group?
The Group:
·
provides an effective framework for international
co-operation;
·
promotes international trade in jute and jute products;
·
provides a forum for the active participation of the private
sector;
·addresses
issues of poverty alleviation, employment and development of
human resources, particularly women;
·
facilitates improvement of productivity and quality,
·
promotes application of new processes and technologies;
·
attempts to create awareness about jute as an eco-friendly,
renewable and bio-degradable natural fibre.
What are the functions of the IJSG?
The IJSG:
·
develops an appropriate strategy for the improvement of the
world jute economy and conducts consultations and exchanges
of information on the international jute economy;
·initiates,
sponsors, supervises and acts as a catalyst with respect to
projects and related activities aimed at improving the
structural conditions of the world jute economy;
·also
undertakes studies on various aspects of the world jute
economy and related issues.
What is the Governance Structure?
A. THE
COUNCIL
The highest authority of the
Group is the Council, consisting of all members of the
organisation which meet at least once a year. All important
matters related to the Group are decided by the Council.
B. COMMITTEES
& BOARD OF THE IJSG
The
Council of the IJSG has established the following committees and
bodies:
i)
Committee on Projects (COP)
The Committee on Projects
(COP) comprising of all members was established by the
Council. The COP meets normally twice a year in accordance
with the guidelines of the Council. It advises the Council
about projects and related activities in accordance with the
rules established by the Council. The Council, in certain
circumstances, delegates to the COP its power relating to
the approval of the projects.
ii)
Private Sector Consultative Board (PSCB)
The Private Sector
Consultative Board (PSCB) was established by the Council of
the IJSG which consists of all Associate Members of the
Group. The PSCB has been set up to encourage active
participation of the private sector in the work of the Group
and to continue dialogue among experts in the jute industry
and make recommendations to the Council in all matters
related to the development of the jute sector.
C. BUDGET
The budget of the organization
for
2012/2013
is US$
727,200. Accommodation cost of the
Group is next to nil, as the premises are made available by
the Government of Bangladesh.
D.
CONTRIBUTION OF MEMBERS
The administrative expenditure
is met by the contributions from the member countries while
the project and non-project activities are funded through
voluntary contributions of member countries and
international donor agencies including the Common Fund for
Commodities (CFC) based in Amsterdam.
Members contribute according
to their votes. Total votes are 2000 which are based on a)
1000 votes equally distributed and b) 1000 votes are
calculated for producer countries: 40% of the volume
produced, and 60% of quantity of net trade of producing
countries; for consuming countries: net trade of consuming
countries. No single country holds more than 450 votes.
E. STAFFING
STRUCTURE
The
Secretariat of IJSG holds 1 (one) internationally recruited
staff and 10 (ten) locally recruited staff members. It is
headed by a Secretary General, who is the Chief Executive
Officer. He is assisted by an Operation Officer who looks
after the project related activities. On the other hand an
Executive Secretary helps the Secretary General to run the
administrative affairs smoothly. The Secretary of IJSG deals
with the matter relating to IJSG council and also looks
after the partnership with international bodies, membership
and PSCB affairs. A Senior Project Assistant and Project
Assistant help the Operation Officer in project and
operation related issues. Along with this the Library and
Resource Centre Assistant manages the library of IJSG.
Staff Assistant is responsible for the staff matters.
Finance Assistant maintains the IJSG accounts and records of
all the financial matters while Admin and Protocol Assistant
provides designated services under the supervision of SG and
Ex Secretary. The Information and Technology Assistant is
responsible for keeping the data base updated, ensure real
time update of jute prices, and update the website and
overall management of IT section of IJSG.
The
Secretariat of IJSG holds 1 (one) internationally recruited
staff and 10 (ten) locally recruited staff members. It is
headed by a Secretary General, who is the Chief Executive
Officer. He is assisted by an Operation Officer who looks
after the project related activities. On the other hand an
Executive Secretary helps the Secretary General to run the
administrative affairs smoothly. The Secretary of IJSG deals
with the matter relating to IJSG council and also looks
after the partnership with international bodies, membership
and PSCB affairs. A Senior Project Assistant and Project
Assistant help the Operation Officer in project and
operation related issues. Along with this the Library and
Resource Centre Assistant manages the library of IJSG.
Staff Assistant is responsible for the staff matters.
Finance Assistant maintains the IJSG accounts and records of
all the financial matters while Admin and Protocol Assistant
provides designated services under the supervision of SG and
Ex Secretary. The Information and Technology Assistant is
responsible for keeping the data base updated, ensure real
time update of jute prices, and update the website and
overall management of IT section of IJSG.