Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir -File photo

DHAKA, May 14, 2026 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said the government has undertaken extensive preparations to ensure the proper collection, preservation, trading, and transportation of raw hides of sacrificial animals during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

“The Prime Minister has emphasized that not a single hide of the sacrificial animals should be wasted. We have taken this as a national responsibility and a challenge,” he said.

Muktadir made the remarks while virtually addressing a directive meeting with divisional commissioners, city corporation administrators, and deputy commissioners on overall raw hide management at the Secretariat in the city, said a press release.

The minister described raw hides as an important national asset and said proper preservation would strengthen the country’s leather industry, increase export earnings, and improve the financial capacity of orphanages, madrasas, and Lillah boarding institutions. 

He noted that a significant number of hides are wasted every year due to lack of awareness and inadequate preservation practices, adding that the government is determined to prevent such losses this year through coordinated initiatives.

Muktadir instructed divisional commissioners to ensure that Khatibs and Imams emphasize the importance of proper hide preservation and correct skinning techniques during Friday sermons in the two weeks leading up to Eid. 

He also directed them to supervise training programmes arranged by deputy commissioners for madrasas, orphanages, and other stakeholders involved in hide collection and preservation.

The minister further ordered the formation of special monitoring teams at the field level and instructed deputy commissioners to maintain active supervision after the training activities.

 City corporation administrators were also asked to integrate raw hide preservation monitoring with ongoing waste management operations during Eid.

During the meeting, officials informed that the government has already allocated more than Tk 17 crore for the free distribution of salt among madrasas, orphanages, and Lillah boarding institutions across the country to help maintain the quality of raw hides. 

In addition, around Tk 2.63 crore has been allocated for training programmes, including Tk 50,000 at the upazila level and Tk 75,000 at the district level.

To raise public awareness, the government plans to distribute 300,000 posters and 800,000 leaflets nationwide. 

Awareness campaigns will also be conducted through television, radio, newspapers, social media platforms, and mobile SMS services. 

Documentary films demonstrating proper hide management techniques will be aired on television channels beginning three days before Eid.

The meeting was moderated by Md. Abdur Rahim Khan, Secretary (Routine Charge) of the Ministry of Commerce, where divisional commissioners and other officials shared local-level action plans and recommendations.

Concluding the session, the commerce minister expressed optimism that through coordinated implementation of the government’s initiatives and collective public participation, the country would be able to preserve this valuable national resource and prevent wastage of sacrificial animal hides this year.