Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Wednesday said Bangladesh’s leather industry has huge potentials to grow in the global market and that need to be fully utilised to give a further boost to the country’s total export. “There’s a huge prospect for boosting leather goods’ export and this needs to be tapped,” he said while inaugurating a new plant of a Picard Bangladesh Limited at Savar. The Commerce Minister also said government efforts are on to build the leather industry in a planned way. “Tanneries will soon be relocated to a new leather estate which is now under construction.” Tofail said the country’s economy continues to grow with an increased export volume, and hoped it will exceed the target in the current fiscal year. He said the government has taken steps to expand the export market and the export volume will increase further in the days to come. The Commerce Minister sought support from all concerned to give the country’s export sector a solid footing. “Sincere and joint efforts by the owners and workers can help give the export sector a stronger base.” German Ambassador in Dhaka Dr Albrecht Conze and Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, among other, spoke at the programme held with Picard Bangladesh Ltd Managing Director M Saiful Islam in the chair, according to a PID handout. Picard Bangladesh Limited is a joint venture company which manufactures leather handbags, briefcases and small leather goods for export. – UNB
