Industries, Commerce, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today spoke at the Ministry of Industries conference room in the city. Photo: PID

DHAKA, May 17, 2026 (BSS) – Industries, Commerce, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said that the government has undertaken comprehensive short and long-term initiatives for the modernization and sustainable development of the country’s leather sector with the aim of transforming it into a major source of national income.

“The government has attached special importance to the leather industry to fully utilize its economic potential. The Ministry of Industries and the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) would provide all necessary policy and implementation support for the sector’s advancement,” he said.

The Minister made the remarks while presiding over the ninth Taskforce meeting on leather industry development, held at the Ministry of Industries conference room in the city, said a press release.

Highlighting the importance of proper management of raw hides, Muktadir directed the authorities to ensure that no hide goes to waste.

He said the entire process, from slaughtering animals to marketing hides, would be brought under a disciplined and systematic framework.

The minister also informed the meeting that training programmes had already been arranged for religious institutions and orphanages ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to ensure proper skinning, preservation techniques and maintenance of quality standards.

Referring to the modernization of the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), he said, ensuring international compliance standards is essential to making the leather sector globally competitive and profitable.

Regarding the Savar Tannery Industrial Estate, the minister instructed the authorities concerned to ensure uninterrupted power supply and strengthen security measures to maintain a stable production environment.

Addressing financial concerns raised by the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), Muktadir requested the Financial Institutions Division (FID) and Bangladesh Bank (BB) to facilitate easy-term bank loans for leather traders and expedite financial assistance to maintain liquidity in the sector.

The meeting was attended, among others, by State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman, Commerce Secretary (Routine Duty) Md Abdur Rahim Khan and Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Member Major General (Rtd) Md Nazrul Islam.

Taskforce members expressed their commitment to implementing the recommendations aimed at building a modern, compliant and profitable leather industry.