The government is setting up an environment-friendly separate leather zone at Hemayetpur of Savar to facilitate manufacturers and attract foreign importers and buyers, Ministry of Industries Secretary Md. Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan said on Thursday. He was speaking at the opening session of a three-day-long Leathetech Bangladesh 2015 at the International Convention City, Bashundara. “The establishment of a separate zone will ramp up the footwear and leather goods sector which will ultimately surpass the readymade garments sectors in next upcoming years,” said the Industries Secretary. leather sector has been identified as a priority sector for the government. Now 75 per cent of our export earning comes from ready-made garments. But the leather sector has the privilege to grow more, Bhuiyan said. The government of Bangladesh together with European Union has long recognised the potential of the leather industry. This leather tech show will play an important role in introducing investors with global technology and select the best method of production and machinery. Special Guest M. Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports, India said: “There is a lot of opportunity for India and Bangladesh to go together in the field of the leather, shoes, garments, leather garments, leather woods in international leather market. As we all know China is not going to be there the next 5 or 10 years. So we have the opportunities to take the markets.” It is an interest of both of us that we understand each other and we support each other in the training, technology, planning, designing and where ever it possible and grow together and we can fill up the gap which is going to be created soon. So this expo will help to enhance cooperation and assistance to improve capacity.” Md. Saiful Islam, President of Leathergoods & Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh; Engr. Mohammed Abu Taher, Chairman of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather goods & Footwear Exporter Association; Md. Shaheen Ahamed, chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association, Adv. Nasir Uddin, past-president of Bangladesh Paduka Prostutkarak Samity; AKM Afzalur Rahman, Member of Centre of Excellence for leather Skill Bangladesh Ltd; Aqeel Ahmed, regional chairman of Council for Leather Exports; Vipen Seth, president of Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association and Nanda Gopal K, Director of ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd were also present at the event. ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd is organizing the expo on Machinery, Components, Leather, Chemicals & Accessories for Leather, Footwear and Leathergoods sector of Bangladesh. The trade show will be will be open between 11am to 7pm till tomorrow (Saturday) and entry to event is free. The 3rd edition has over 140 exhibitors from Turkey, Egypt, Sri lanka, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Hongkong with a 50 member strong pavilion from India and large pavilion from China participating in the three day event showcasing Machinery for Tanning Leather, Manufacturing Footwear and Leathergoods along with components, Dyes & Chemicals, Accessories and allied products to benefit all sectors of the Leather Industry.
