Rawhide sector needs permanent action plan: Industries minister

Bangladesh needs a permanent action plan to ensure proper management and fair prices of rawhide, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said on Wednesday.

Stating that such a large and promising sector will not be able to reach its full potential with just Eid-oriented activities, the minister spoke in favour of new ways of thinking to further develop the rawhide industry.

He made the remarks while presiding over the 5th meeting of a task force on “Recommendations for Development of Leather Industry and Formulation of Action Plan.” He also serves as the convener of this task force.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin, State Minister for industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, and leaders of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) and Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) also participated in the virtual programme.

Humayun further said, “The leather market is ready. We no longer have to buy cattle from outside sources. Using this opportunity, we can easily make this sector profitable. At the same time, it is possible to earn a lot of foreign currency.

“Many times, fair prices are not available due to the high supply of rawhides during the Eid season. Therefore, if necessary, the government can take the initiative to buy rawhides. If we buy leather locally and store it properly with salt, we will get a good price at the marginal level.”

Participants at the event discussed matters such as the further development of the leather industry, setting up a “Leather Industry Management Authority” to handle regulatory activities, and setting up of temporary leather warehouses at various strategic locations of the country.

They also discussed appointment of salt dealers at district and upazila levels to ensure its availability, formation of a “Central Monitoring Cell” comprised of all stakeholders to ensure sale and purchase of leather at prices fixed by the government, ensuring proper skinning of sacrificial animals, collection and preservation of raw hides and dissemination of information on Covid-related health issues through various media in the form of TV commercials.

Addressing the programme virtually, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said, “Our ministry is providing all possible assistance for the development of the leather industry and growth of exports. The commerce ministry has taken necessary steps ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha.

Meanwhile, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin said, “Measures have been taken to monitor the activities of Savar Tannery Industrial Area round the clock.