Events

Bangladesh’s leather sector to focus on a visible, vocal and responsible strategy

May 8, 2025 Bangladesh

“It’s our time to be visible, vocal and responsible” was the main outcome of a roundtable hosted by sector-focused knowledge platform Footwear Exchange to mark World Leather Day 2025

On the 26^th of April, Footwear Exchange, a sector-focused knowledge platform working to advance the leather, footwear and related sectors in Bangladesh, hosted a roundtable discussion on “Bangladesh Leather - Beyond the Surface: It’s Our Time to Be Visible, Vocal and Responsible”.

Held in the conference room of the Dhaka Tannery Industrial Estate Waste Treatment Plant Company (DTIEWTPCL), the session was chaired by Golam Shahnewaz, Managing Director of DTIEWTPCL. He emphasised the critical role of environmental sustainability, operational compliance and collaborative sectoral growth for the future of the country’s leather industry.

During the discussion, Salauddin Mahmud Khan of Apex Tannery emphasised the importance of efficiency and modernisation for sustainable growth, while Tariqul Islam Khan of Marsons Tannery called for a more positive global image of Bangladesh’s leather industry, highlighting the sector’s improvement in terms of compliance, skilled labour and economic contribution.

Shahin Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), who was also present at the event, stressed the importance of unity among the sector’s stakeholders to overcome common challenges.

“The global leather market is evolving rapidly. If Bangladesh is to secure its rightful place, we must showcase our strengths and take responsibility for sustainable practices. This is the time to be visible, vocal, and responsible”, Shahnewaz urged a roundtable of academics, leather chemists, technologists, development sector representatives, chemical company officials and members of various professional organisations.

Image Credits: Footwear Exchange

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