The government has taken initiatives to set up three more Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) and renovate and upgrade the existing CETP in the Savar Leather Industrial City.
"If these are implemented, it is expected to increase the Leather Working Group (LWG) certification of tanneries and increase the export of leather and leather products in the international market," said Zakia Sultana senior secretary of the Ministry of Industries.
She also said that the government has been formulating a time-bound action plan for the development of the leather industry.
The Senior Industry Secretary said these at the workshop titled 'Smart Bangladesh, Smart Industry: Role of Stakeholders in the Development of Leather and Leather Products' organised by the ministry at the conference room of the Ministry of Industry in Motijheel in the capital today (24 June).
Abdul Halim, former secretary of the Ministry of Industry and former commissioner of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission presented a keynote paper in the workshop.
“The leather industry first started in this country in the 1940s. Currently, leather and leather products are the second largest foreign exchange earning sector in Bangladesh,” he said.
He also said that the 'Leather and Leather Products Development Policy 2019' was formulated to establish an environment-friendly and competitive leather industry.
"But due to various reasons, it could not achieve the desired target." Abdul Halim said.
He recommended the effective implementation of the policy, regular supervision and the use of the latest technology including artificial intelligence and robotics in the sector."
