RMG-like support can boost annual leather shipment to $5b by 2030: Exporters | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
May 28, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025
RMG-like support can boost annual leather shipment to $5b by 2030: Exporters

Economy

TBS Report
25 May, 2025, 05:55 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2025, 10:14 pm

Related News

  • 'Intolerable burden': Businesses sound alarm on extortion, crime spikes
  • Increase budget for agro product processing, storage to boost exports: Experts
  • Traders call for easier VAT management, improved law and order situation for smooth business operations
  • At China's largest trade fair, exporters say US markets are 'frozen'
  • Singapore keen to help enhance Bangladesh’s logistics sector

RMG-like support can boost annual leather shipment to $5b by 2030: Exporters

Leather exports remain stagnated between $1.2 and $1.6 billion annually

TBS Report
25 May, 2025, 05:55 pm
Last modified: 25 May, 2025, 10:14 pm
At a focus group discussion organised by the DCCI on Sunday (25 May). Photo: Courtesy
At a focus group discussion organised by the DCCI on Sunday (25 May). Photo: Courtesy

Highlights:

  • Exports can even reach $10b by 2035
  • Semi-operational CETP hampering export growth
  • Absence of international certifications makes products less competitive
  • Tannery owners not paying utility bills on time causes systematic strains

 

Bangladesh's leather industry could achieve an annual export target of $5 billion by 2030, potentially doubling to $10 billion by 2035, provided it receives financial incentives and policy support similar to those extended to the ready-made garments (RMG) sector, according to exporters. 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

This ambitious projection was put forth by Syed Nasim Manzur, president of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh, during a focus group discussion organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in Dhaka today (25 May).

Nasim, who also serves as the managing director of Apex Footwear, said leather exports have stagnated between $1.2 and $1.6 billion annually. He attributed this underperformance to several factors.

Despite relocating the tannery hub from Hazaribagh to Savar, the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) is not yet fully operational, which continues to hinder export growth, he said. 

Nasim emphasised that the lack of internationally recognised certifications, such as those from the Leather Working Group (LWG), has made Bangladesh less competitive in the global market, leading to reduced value realisation for its leather products. 

He also pointed out that the absence of compliance within the industry further contributes to its underperformance.

Nasim stressed the need to facilitate an orderly exit for struggling or disinterested firms within the sector, thereby easing access to credit for active entrepreneurs. Additionally, he called for the leather industry to be brought under a single ministry to streamline governance and enable focused development, as it currently falls under multiple jurisdictions.

Adilur Rahman Khan, industries adviser and the chief guest at the discussion, underscored the importance of adopting new technologies, modernising production processes, ensuring environmental sustainability, and maintaining compliance in order to boost global competitiveness. He noted that the industries ministry has initiated steps to establish a comprehensive ecosystem for the leather sector in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

He urged tannery owners to refrain from discharging waste into rivers, citing significant damage to aquatic ecosystems, including a decline in fish reproduction, which adversely affects the fisheries sector and those dependent on it. He also noted that many tanneries are delinquent in paying electricity, water, and other utility bills, which creates operational challenges. He called for the timely payment of these charges.

Saiful Islam, chairman of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), said while LWG certification is required for 17–18% of the market, there remains a vast untapped global market beyond that segment, which Bangladesh should focus on.

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said the leather sector, second only to RMG in terms of export earnings, holds significant potential for value addition, employment generation, and sustainable industrial growth. "However, Bangladesh has not been able to fully leverage its potential in this sector, contributing less than 1% to the global leather market." 

FBCCI Administrator Hafizur Rahman advocated for extending bonded warehouse facilities to promising export-oriented sectors, akin to those in the RMG industry.

Top News

DCCI / exports / Leather export

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Leaders and activists of BNP gather at Nayapaltan ahead of the rally of three BNP affiliated organisations on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    ​​​​​​​Deliberate stalling of election part of plan to derail democratic process: Tarique at BNP rally
  • File Photo: Reuters
    Bangladeshi cos expecting increased costs due to tariffs, yet extremely optimistic about int'l growth: HSBC survey
  • Photo: Collected
    HC overturns graft convictions of Tarique, Zubaida

MOST VIEWED

  • Selim RF Hussain. Sketch: TBS
    BRAC Bank MD Selim RF Hussain resigns
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Depositors need not worry as govt will take over banks before merger: BB governor
  • Graphics: TBS
    Suspicious banking activities surge by 56% since July: Cenbank
  • Photo: Collected
    DU student assaulted for protesting eve-teasing at Chadni Chowk
  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh sees highest-ever per capita income of $2,820 in FY25, BBS provisional data shows
  • Officials protest inside the Secretariat on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, over a government ordinance amending the Public Service Act, 2018. Photo: Rajib Dhar
    Protest at Secretariat suspended as govt assures decision on ordinance tomorrow

Related News

  • 'Intolerable burden': Businesses sound alarm on extortion, crime spikes
  • Increase budget for agro product processing, storage to boost exports: Experts
  • Traders call for easier VAT management, improved law and order situation for smooth business operations
  • At China's largest trade fair, exporters say US markets are 'frozen'
  • Singapore keen to help enhance Bangladesh’s logistics sector

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

1d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

2d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts

Poor documentation, evidence plague stolen asset recovery efforts

15m | TBS Insight
Donald Trump warns Vladimir Putin he is 'playing with fire' over Ukraine

Donald Trump warns Vladimir Putin he is 'playing with fire' over Ukraine

1h | TBS World
Families of those injured and martyred in the July coup protest in the capital

Families of those injured and martyred in the July coup protest in the capital

1h | TBS Today
Trump administration suspends student visas in the US indefinitely

Trump administration suspends student visas in the US indefinitely

2h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net