Govt aims to make leather industry stronger and more export-oriented: Commerce minister

Commerce, Industries, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today (29 May) said the government aims to strengthen the country's leather industry and turn it into a more export-oriented sector by ensuring maximum utilisation of sacrificial animal hides.

He said a comprehensive, long-term plan for the development, preservation, processing, and expansion of leather exports will be presented to the nation by July.

The minister made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting rawhide trading activities at Posta in Lalbagh in the capital, reads a press release.

Muktadir said the government is hopeful that most sacrificial hides this year will be collected in usable condition due to coordinated government initiatives, active participation of traders and warehouse owners, and preservation activities carried out through mosques and madrasas.

"After visiting Aminbazar yesterday and the warehouses at Posta and Hemayetpur in Savar today, I saw a huge quantity of hides in the hands of traders and salting activities are underway there," he said.

"Not all sacrificial hides arrive in Dhaka at the same time. Naturally, the entire process takes two to three months. However, through the combined efforts of government agencies, district administrations, city corporations, BSCIC and relevant traders, we believe we will be able to reach close to our target this year," he added.

The minister stressed the importance of proper preservation methods, saying hides can be preserved for three to four months if cleaned and salted properly within four to six hours after sacrifice.

Responding to a question about hide smuggling, he said, "Every year allegations of hide smuggling emerge. We do not want a single hide to be smuggled out of the country. The relevant authorities have been instructed to maintain strict surveillance in this regard."

Regarding the Savar Leather Industrial Park and the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), the minister said many tanneries have yet to become fully operational after relocating from Hazaribagh due to limitations of the CETP.

He said the CETP's project capacity is 25,000 cubic metres per day, although its actual operational capacity currently ranges from 14,000 to 18,000 cubic metres per day. Necessary renovation and development work will be undertaken to increase the capacity, he added.

The minister also emphasised modernising slaughtering and skinning processes to improve leather quality.

According to the minister, the country's leather goods market and exports are currently worth around Tk12,000-15,000 crore, while the domestic market for leather products also remains significant.

He added that the government has already distributed salt free of cost through BSCIC and district administrations to madrasas and collection centres to ensure proper preservation of sacrificial hides.

Industries Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman, Commerce Ministry Secretary (Routine Charge) Md Abdur Rahim Khan, BSCIC Director General Md Saiful Islam, and leaders of the Bangladesh Tanners Association were present during the visit.