Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, MP, has said that a countrywide network should be established for the collection and preservation of raw hides for the improvement of the local leather industry.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled ‘Potentials and Challenges of Leather Sector in Bangladesh: Points to Ponder’ in the city on Sunday. Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP) of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) organised the workshop.
The minister called for necessary enhancement of skill based for the improvement of the leather industry.
Member of the Planning Commission Abdul Baki and President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Md. Saiful Islam were present as special guests. ERD Secretary Ms. Sharifa Khan chaired the event.
Leather is considered as one of the most important and promising sectors for trade and economy in Bangladesh. It was the highest export earning sector of the country after readymade garments during the last fiscal year. Considering the huge potential of this industry-- the government has identified it as one of the top priority sectors.
Currently, leather and leather products exported from Bangladesh enjoy Duty Free Quota Free (DFQF) market access in various countries.The sector is also benefiting from various government supports, including cash incentives. However, after the country’s graduation in 2026, most of the international support measures including DFQF market access would be terminated while the government supports provided to the sector might be restricted.
In this context, the workshop was organised to identify the potentials and challenges of this sector and to discuss the strategies and way forwards to utilize the full potentials of the leather sector.
ERD Secretary Sharifa Khan in her speech called for necessary policy formulation for preparing the leather sector for the post-LDC graduation scenario.
Member of the Planning Commission Abdul Baki in his speech put emphasis on improving the ease of doing business in the country.
MCCI President Md. Saiful Islam in his remarks called for establishingan effective linkage between the local RMG industry and the leather goods and footwear sector.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md. Shamimul Haque, Director of the Institute of Leather Engineering & Technology of the University of DhakaDr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters' Association(BFLLFEA) Md. Jainal Abedin, and General Secretary of Bangladesh Tanners AssociationMr. Md. Shakawat Ullah spoke during the event as panelists.
Panelists and discussants of the workshop put emphasis on properly operationalizing the CETP of the tannery estate, strengthening the backward linkage industries and proper preservation of raw hides from the grassroot level.
Leather sector exper Rabiul Islam Rabi in his keynote presentation opined that effective operationalization of Leather Development Authority under the Prime Minister's Office would give a big boost to expedite reform measures.
He also observed that at least 15 to 20 leather factories of the country need to be prepared for Leather Working Group (LWG) certification within the next 5 years.
Welcoming the participants to the seminar, Additional Secretary of ERD and Project Director of SSGP Farid Azizsaid that it is high time to fully operationalize the CETP of the tannery estate and attaining the LWG certification.
Senior officials from government ministries, agencies and research institutions, representatives fromrelevant trade associations and think tanks attended the workshop.
