On May 25, 2025, Focus Group Discussion titled “Sustainable Export Growth in Post LDC Era: Strategies for the Leather Sector,” was organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) where the Chief Guest was Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Industries, GoB. After the welcome remarks, Mr. Taskeen Ahmed, President of DCCI moderated the rest of the discussion, which began with the keynote paper presentation by Mr. Syed Nasim Manzur, Managing Director, Apex Footwear Limited & President of Leathergoods And Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB). Mr. Md. Hafizur Rahman (FBCCI) and Mr. Md. Saiful Islam (BSCIC) joined the FGD as special guests. A panel discussion featured industry leaders and experts including Mr. Md. Nurul Islam (Bangladesh Tanners Association), Mr. Ibnul Wara (Austan Ltd.), Mr. Md. Nasir Khan (Jennys Shoes Ltd.), Mr. Ziaur Rahman (Bay Group), Ms. Salma Ahmed (BCSIR), Dr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman (University of Dhaka), Mr. Md. Ariful Hoque (BIDA), and Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury (Ministry of Commerce, GoB).
Bangladesh’s leather and leather goods exports are facing challenges due to non-compliance with international standards, lack of environmental certifications, declining rawhide quality, and a fragmented supply chain. Industry experts have called for consistent policy support and a comprehensive roadmap to transform the leather sector into a major export pillar, with the goal of increasing Bangladesh’s share in the projected $530 billion global leather market by 2027 from less than 1%. The Ministry of Industries is working to create a supportive policy environment that can enable long-term transformation, and Bangladesh’s leather industry must move beyond competing solely on price to capture a larger share of the $420 billion global leather goods market.
The absence of a functional effluent treatment plant (ETP) in Savar is a critical problem, and global certification for sustainable leather production, particularly from the Leather Working Group (LWG), is critical for exports. If Bangladesh can establish environmentally responsible, LWG-certified tanneries, its leather exports could potentially double.
The leather industry has become a football tossed among multiple ministries, making it difficult to ensure accountability and policy predictability. To address this, the sector should be consolidated under a single ministry. With incentives and policy support similar to those provided to the readymade garment sector, the leather industry will be able to export leather worth $5 billion annually by 2030, which is currently $1.2 to 1.6 billion.
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