Leather footwear, goods expo begins in city Thursday

A three-day expo on leather goods and leather footwear will begin at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the city on next Thursday, aiming to give an impetus to the country's economy.
The second edition of the expo titled 'Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS) 2018' is expected to create greater interaction among the local and international businesses.
Ministry of Commerce and Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB), co-organiser of the event, made the announcement at press conference at a city hotel on Saturday.
Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Kazi M. Aminul Islam, Senior Commerce Secretary Shubhashish Bose and LFMEAB President Md Saiful Islam, among others, spoke at the press conference.
Mr. Shubhashish Bose said the country's leather goods manufacturing sector is highly potential for diversification of the export basket, thanks to local availability of the key raw materials.
"Unlike the apparel industry, the key raw materials of the leather goods are widely available in Bangladesh," he said.
The export-oriented leather footwear and leather goods could contribute more to the country's total foreign currency earnings, he said.
The upcoming trade fair will help the local businesses to explore new global opportunities, he added.
With the thematic tagline 'Destination Next', the expo will remain open for the visitors without any entry fee from 2.00pm to 6.00pm on the opening day and from 10.00am to 6.00pm on the following days.
Renowned local and foreign leather goods manufacturers and exporters will display their products at the exhibition.
Around 40 businesses from 13 countries like Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Germany, Australia, Italy, Japan, France, the US, China, Belgium and India will participate the event. They will showcase wide ranges of leather goods, manufacturing technology and ingredients.
Four discussion sessions will also be held on the sidelines of the fair.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Saiful Islam said Bangladesh is the sixth largest manufacturers of footwear and 12th largest market in terms of consumption. The country is also the 26th largest leather footwear exporter.
He also said that the maiden edition of the BLLISS drew vast attention from the local and international businesses. Some international businesses expressed their interest to invest in Bangladesh after the expo last year, he added.
Responding to a query, Mr. Aminul Islam said there had been a significant growth in foreign investment in the country's leather goods manufacturing sector in the last one year.
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