Staff Reporter:
Industries, Commerce and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said the government aims to strengthen country’s leather industry by ensuring the maximum utilisation of sacrificial animal hides and expanding export capacity.
Speaking to reporters after visiting rawhide trading activities at Posta in Old Dhaka on Friday (29 May), he said a comprehensive long-term plan for the sector’s development, preservation, processing and exports would be unveiled by July.
Minister Muktadir expressed optimism that most hides of sacrificial animals would be preserved properly this year because of coordinated efforts by the government, traders and mosque- and madrasa-based preservation initiatives.
He stressed the importance of salting hides within four to six hours after slaughter to prevent spoilage, noting that properly preserved hides could remain usable for several months.
Muktadir also warned against leather smuggling and said authorities had been instructed to maintain strict monitoring.
He added that steps would be taken to improve the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Savar and modernise the skinning process to enhance leather quality and attract further investment in the sector.
