Commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Monday said that the government had been working to dismantle the powerful syndicates formed over the past 15 years centring Bangladesh's leather industry.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting preparations for managing sacrificial animal hides at the largest leather market in the southwest region at Rajarhat in Jashore, the Adviser emphasised the government鈥檚 commitment to protecting the interests of orphanages and madrasas involved in the leather trade.
He said that the country鈥檚 leather industry had suffered from extensive mismanagement and chaos over the past 15 years, leading to its significant decline.
鈥極ur efforts prioritise the welfare of madrasas and orphanages, while also focusing on the overall recovery and future of the leather sector. The government is taking nationwide action to break illegal syndicates and revive the industry,鈥� Bashir said.
To ensure fair pricing and preservation of raw hides, the government has distributed 7.5 lakh maunds of salt across the country, the adviser said, criticising seasonal traders for mishandling hides due to a lack of knowledge, which resulted in financial losses.
The adviser also mentioned that the government released Tk 220 crore in incentives to tannery owners ahead of Eid to boost their capacity and is taking steps to expand market management.
He expressed optimism that these initiatives would help re-establish Bangladesh鈥檚 leather industry in international markets. 鈥楢lthough the government has been blamed for the disorder, our unprecedented efforts to protect the leather industry need everyone鈥檚 cooperation to succeed,鈥� he said.
Jashore鈥檚 deputy commissioner Azahar Islam and superintendent of police Rownak Jahan were present during the visit.
