Industries and Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Bangladesh will not face any raw hide smuggling issue this year and the government wants to turn the leather sector from a struggling industry into a developed one. He made the remarks while inspecting raw hides and skins procurement and trading activities in Savar on the day of Eid ul Adha.

The minister said the government expects more sacrificial hides and skins to be properly preserved and transported smoothly to tanneries this year. He also said authorities are planning to build permanent infrastructure in the future to support hide preservation.

Muktadir said the government is working on plans to transform the leather industry from a $1 billion sector into a $10-12 billion industry.

He said exporting raw or wet blue leather brings lower returns while exporting value added products such as shoes, belts and leather goods creates higher economic value.

“Our target is not only to earn more foreign currency but also to create employment opportunities. Therefore, we want to export finished leather products.”

– Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Industries & Commerce Minister

The minister said the government will take steps to solve problems linked to the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Savar to ensure all sacrificial hides are properly preserved and no leather goes to waste.

He said officials are working round the clock at hide collection points to prevent smuggling. He also said traders who salt and take steps to preserve the hides before selling them will receive better prices.

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