Export of leather goods has failed to match the growth the garment sector has achieved due to a lack of compliance and reluctance to adopt latest fashion trends, a top official of an exporters’ platform said yesterday. Shipment of footwear and other leather goods brought $1.04 billion in 2018-19. Of it, footwear bagged $608 million, up from $565 million a year ago, leather goods $249 million and finished leather $187 million. “Tannery owners having the financial capability should set up their own effluent treatment plants (ETP) to reduce pressure on the central one,” said Saiful Islam, president of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB). “This would ensure compliance, which in turn would help boost exports,” he said at a press meet at La Vinci Hotel Dhaka announcing the start of a three-day exhibition on leathertech from October 31. Over 300 exhibitors from nearly 20 countries, including India, China and Pakistan, are expected to attend the fair. Moreover, the third edition of the Bangladesh Leather Footwear & Leather Goods International Sourcing Show will concurrently be organised by the LFMEAB. Islam said leather goods and footwear comprise 83 percent of their exports while finished leather the remaining 17 percent, which was the opposite just 12 years ago. The sector had the scope to overtake apparel exports but faced setbacks for changes in consumer tastes and a lack of compliance at the Savar tannery estate, he said.
