Export of leather goods, not leather stressed
FE Report | Friday, 31 January 2014
Speakers at a seminar held in the city, Thursday emphasised the need for exporting leather products for earning more foreign currency, instead of exporting leather.
Bangladesh exported leather and leather goods last year worth Tk $982 million, though the country has a capacity to earn $5 billion dollar a year from the sector," Md Nasir Uddin, Member (VAT Export, Bond and IT) of National Board of Revenue (NBR) said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the seminar titled 'Identifying export enlisted crust, finished and split leather' organised by the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) at Seemanto Convention Center.
The seminar was organised to remove confusion among customs officers and C&F agents.
Director General of the Directorate of Duty Exemption and Drawback Office (DEDO) Khandaker Mohammad Aminur Rahman, Commissioner of Chittagong Customs House Masud Sadik, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Ministry Md.
Hafizur Rahman and President of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association (BFLLFEA) Md Abu Taher spoke at the seminar while BTA President Shahin Ahmed was in the chair.
Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology Teacher Nur Muhammad presented a key note paper at the seminar.
He made a presentation for the custom officials and C&F agents to explain the difference among crust, finished and split leather and how to deal with it.
The chief guest said customs officials should not mess up with this as it is very simple.
He identified ignorance as main hurdle to the growth of leather industry.
Khandaker Mohammad Aminur Rahman said the tanners should write clearly on the packing what type of leather it is in the packet.
He said most of the confusions were created from the blurred, non-illegible writing on the packet of leather.
Md Abu Taher expressed the hope that within next 5 to 6 years leather will be able to fetch $5 billion from its export.
"After relocation to Savar Tannery Estate, the industry will be rejuvenated and will export more leather goods," he added.