Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed Wednesday expressed the hope that the country’s export earnings from leather sector would reach US$ 5.0 billion by 2021.It would make up a part of the total export earnings target of $ 60 billion by 2021.According to the expectation, around $ 50 billion would come from export of readymade garments (RMG) and the rest from other sectors.The commerce minister highlighted the numbers while speaking as chief guest in the inauguration ceremony of the 4th ‘Leathertech Bangladesh-2016’ in the city’s International Convention City, Bashundhora.Inaugurating the three-day exposition that begins today, he said that the sector earned $ 1.1 billion in exports in the last fiscal year, and assured the sector of all government support to achieve the 2021 target, but stressed the need for playing due role by the sector.”We are also working on diversification of leather products and markets for achieving our target.”The inauguration ceremony was also attended, among others, by senior secretary of ministry of commerce Hedayetullah Al Mamoon, president of Leather Goods & Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Md. Saiful Islam, president of Bangladesh Tanners Association Mizanur Rahman, former president of LFMEAB and chairman of COEL Syed Nasim Manzur and Director of Ask Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd Nanda Gopal K.Some 250 exhibitors from 15 countries – Bangladesh, China, India, Turkey, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Italy, Singapore, Japan, Germany, UK, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Korea will showcase machinery for tanning leather, manufacturing footwear and leather goods along with components, dyes & chemicals, accessories and allied products. India and China will have two large pavilions at the event.The expo will remain open for the visitors from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
