Govt to form leather industry dev authority: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today announced the formation of a leather industry development authority for the growth of the country's leather and leather goods sector.

"I am announcing a leather development authority for the improvement of the leather industry. We, the Prime Minister's Office, will form a leather industry development authority separately," she said.

The premier made this announcement while inaugurating the 4th edition of the Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS-2023) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.

But the BLLISS-2023 is being held at International Convention City Bashundhara till Saturday next.

Hasina said her government has a plan to develop an area-based tannery industry (industrial estates) in several more places including Chattogram and Rajshahi in the country in phases.

"If we can do it (developing area-based tannery industry), the preservation, processing, and use of leathers would go up. Because it will develop as a big industry for us," she said.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Commerce Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and others spoke on the occasion.

President of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Syed Nasim Manzur delivered the welcome speech.