Swapna Chakrabarty of DOT
After apparel, leather is one of the promising sectors for Bangladesh. Despite having the prospect of 60 percent value addition, the sector is witnessing poor export growth in absence of leather working group certificate against local leather products, says the traders.
They have also stressed the need for making the CETP fully functional as per international standards for regaining the lost glory of the leather industry.
Md Shaheen Ahmed, Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners’ Association (BTA) said that the industry took a sudden jolt when all the tanneries were shifted to Savar from Hajaribag.
“The tannery industry went through a hard time and export dipped during the shifting. However, it is possible to recover from the crisis. Since we have a high quality raw hide, we will be able to establish it as the second highest export earning sector provided we are given some facilities from the government,” said BTA Chairman.
A set of initiatives should be undertaken for developing the industry like registering the allotted plots, tax exemption in importing chemicals related to tannery, giving loan to tanners at 5% interest as an agricultural industry, ensuring housing and transportation facilities for the tannery workers and ensuring waste disposal and solid waste management.