Leather export sees a surge

With the controversy of the rawhide imbroglio during Eid-ul-Azha not too far behind, the Export Promotion Bureau, EPB, has revealed some encouraging news. The leather and leather products sector registered a growth rate of 1.32 per cent, resulting in earnings of $185.41 million in July-August of the current financial year. This figure was $183 million during the same period in 2018-19 FY.

The export of leather and leather goods from Bangladesh has rebounded after more than two years due to higher shipments to non-traditional markets. While export is going on to traditional markets such as South Korea, China, European Union, US and Canada, the export of leather products has also increased to non-traditional ones like South Africa, India, Australia, Spain, Japan and Singapore. Over the past two years, the leather sector registered negative growth because of the lethargic transfer of tanneries from Hazaribagh to the newly-built Savar Tannery Complex. Also, this year, the inner conflicts within the industry were laid bare before the nation when the tanners and buyers association blamed each other for the abnormally low rate of hide from slaughtered animals. Since leather has been a major source of income there needs to be government attention to it with the formation of a leather export monitoring board that will not only look for new markets for products but will also share ideas about diversifying leather goods.    

Bangladesh exports leather items from bags, to shoes to belts but since local leather is of top quality, efforts need to be made to get into joint venture leather producing agreements with apex high street brands in Europe. So far, leather made items are exported in bulk but once manufacturers have joint ventures with leading fashion houses of the world, the products can be made here in Bangladesh and then sold abroad. At the same time, local shoe makers like Apex and Bata can enter international exhibitions to showcase their top range products. The leather expo, held every year, never pulls the designer brands and in this regard the embassies abroad can be of help while the French and Italian embassies in Bangladesh may be asked to arrange renowned brands from their countries to take part in the exposition.  The new frontier for trade is Africa with several countries enjoying robust growth and Bangladesh should aggressively pursue trade deals with these emerging markets through sending business delegations and opening embassies.

 

Leather export sees a surge

With the controversy of the rawhide imbroglio during Eid-ul-Azha not too far behind, the Export Promotion Bureau, EPB, has revealed some encouraging news. The leather and leather products sector registered a growth rate of 1.32 per cent, resulting in earnings of $185.41 million in July-August of the current financial year. This figure was $183 million during the same period in 2018-19 FY. The export of leather and leather goods from Bangladesh has rebounded after more than two years due to higher shipments to non-traditional markets. While export is going on to traditional markets such as South Korea, China, European Union, US and Canada, the export of leather products has also increased to non-traditional ones like South Africa, India, Australia, Spain, Japan and Singapore. Over the past two years, the leather sector registered negative growth because of the lethargic transfer of tanneries from Hazaribagh to the newly-built Savar Tannery Complex. Also, this year, the inner conflicts within the industry were laid bare before the nation when the tanners and buyers association blamed each other for the abnormally low rate of hide from slaughtered animals. Since leather has been a major source of income there needs to be government attention to it with the formation of a leather export monitoring board that will not only look for new markets for products but will also share ideas about diversifying leather goods. Bangladesh exports leather items from bags, to shoes to belts but since local leather is of top quality, efforts need to be made to get into joint venture leather producing agreements with apex high street brands in Europe. So far, leather made items are exported in bulk but once manufacturers have joint ventures with leading fashion houses of the world, the products can be made here in Bangladesh and then sold abroad. At the same time, local shoe makers like Apex and Bata can enter international exhibitions to showcase their top range products. The leather expo, held every year, never pulls the designer brands and in this regard the embassies abroad can be of help while the French and Italian embassies in Bangladesh may be asked to arrange renowned brands from their countries to take part in the exposition. The new frontier for trade is Africa with several countries enjoying robust growth and Bangladesh should aggressively pursue trade deals with these emerging markets through sending business delegations and opening embassies.