On May 25, 2025, Focus Group Discussion titled \u201cSustainable Export Growth in Post LDC Era: Strategies for the Leather Sector,<\/b>\u201d was organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) where the Chief Guest was Mr. Adilur Rahman Khan<\/b>, Honorable Adviser to the Ministry of Industries, GoB. After the welcome remarks, Mr. Taskeen Ahmed<\/b>, President of DCCI moderated the rest of the discussion, which began with the keynote paper presentation by Mr. Syed Nasim Manzur<\/b>, Managing Director, Apex Footwear Limited & President of Leathergoods And Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB). Mr. Md. Hafizur Rahman<\/b> (FBCCI) and Mr. Md. Saiful Islam<\/b> (BSCIC) joined the FGD as special guests. A panel discussion featured industry leaders and experts including Mr. Md. Nurul Islam<\/b> (Bangladesh Tanners Association), Mr. Ibnul Wara<\/b> (Austan Ltd.), Mr. Md. Nasir Khan <\/b>(Jennys Shoes Ltd.), Mr. Ziaur Rahman<\/b> (Bay Group), Ms. Salma Ahmed (BCSIR)<\/b>, Dr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman<\/b> (University of Dhaka), Mr. Md. Ariful Hoque<\/b> (BIDA), and Dr. Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury<\/b> (Ministry of Commerce, GoB).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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