Strict instructions to prevent leather smuggling, master plan for leather sector coming in July

After inspecting the purchase and sale activities of raw sacrificial leather in the Posta area of ​​Lalbagh in the capital, Industries and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said that the concerned authorities have been instructed to strictly monitor so that not a single skin of the country is smuggled. He said that allegations of leather smuggling are received every year, but this time the government is determined to make the leather sector a more secure and export-oriented industry.

Talking to reporters on Friday (May 29), the minister said that one of the government's goals is to strengthen the country's leather industry by ensuring maximum use of sacrificial leather. To this end, a comprehensive and long-term plan will be published by July to increase the collection, preservation, processing and export capacity of leather.

He also said that a large amount of raw leather has already been received by traders and salting is underway for preservation. He also expressed hope that it will be possible to collect leather according to the set target. Currently, the country's leather products market and export income are around Tk 12,000 to 15,000 crore. The government also has a plan to mechanize the process of skinning animals to modernize this sector.

The Commerce Minister said that even after the transfer of tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar, many institutions are not able to operate at full capacity. One of the reasons for this is the limitations of the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) of the Leather Industrial City. Although it currently has a daily capacity of 25,000 cubic meters of waste, in reality it is possible to treat 14 to 18,000 cubic meters. He said that initiatives will be taken to attract new investments and further expand the country's leather industry by removing these limitations.

Industries Secretary Obaidur Rahman, Commerce Secretary (Routine Responsibilities) Abdur Rahim Khan, BSCIC Director General Saiful Islam and leaders of the Bangladesh Tanners Association were present at the time. The government hopes that the leather sector will be able to make a greater contribution to the country's economy through proper management and modernization.