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Stakeholders propose formation of Leather Industry Authority

Staff Correspondent
24 Sep 2021 00:00:00 | Update: 24 Sep 2021 00:55:33
Stakeholders propose formation of Leather Industry Authority

Stakeholders in the leather sector on Thursday proposed setting up a ‘Leather Industry Authority’ under the industries ministry to develop the leather industry, the country’s fourth-largest foreign exchange earning sector, and solve the existing problems there.

The proposal came at the 4th meeting of the task force, which has been formed to make recommendations and formulate action plans for the development of the leather industry, with its convener and Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun in the chair. The meeting was held in the conference room of the industries ministry.

“Leather industry is a big industry. We have to explore fresh markets abroad for leather exports. Leather traders need to make efforts to expand their business and the government will cooperate theme,” said Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, said an industries ministry release.

Although tanneries are shifted from Hazaribagh to the under-construction leather industrial city in Savar, works on the Central Waste Treatment Plant or Central Effluent Treatment Plant and other components are yet to be completed, the minister said.

He said environmental clearances were issued in favour of some tanneries but the renewal of environmental clearance is being delayed, he said adding that due to the delay in renewal of environmental clearance, it becomes difficult to get Export Registration Certificate or ERC as an exporter, and Import Registration Certificate or IRC as an importer and clearance of duty-free bond facility.

He said in the interest of smooth production activities of leather factories in the industrial city, it is necessary to speed up the renewal process of environmental clearances, implement CETP, apply modern technology as well as manage solid waste properly.

Joining the meeting virtually, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said, “We want to earn billions of dollars by exporting leather goods. For that, we are working on it.”

Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin, who also attended the meeting virtually, said that although Savar industrial city has the capacity to treat 25,000 cubic metres of liquid waste, it produces 35,000-40,000 cubic meters of liquid wastes that are polluting the river water.

“We have to visit the spot together,” he said.

State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder said that the industries ministry needs to fix the price of leather unilaterally without pulling the two other ministries.

Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana emphasised the importance of leather stocking and preservation.

Among others, BSCIC Chairman Mushtaq Hassan, RAJUK Chairman ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Director General of the Department of Environment Md Ashraf Uddin, business leaders involved in the tannery industry as well as senior officials of other ministries and departments concerned were present at the meeting.

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