Tanneries lose Tk 4.59b due to political unrest

Hartal and indefinite blockade for nearly a month took its toll on the tannery sector which suffered a loss of about Tk 4.59 billion, tannery leaders said Monday at a press conference.

The Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) organised the press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity to tell the media about their losses during the ongoing unrest.

President Shahin Ahmed said exporters did not receive any order from foreign buyers during the month-long unrest and could not deliver any shipment during the time.

He said they are passing worst time in business in many years.

Asked how they measured the losses, he said: "We lost Tk 1 billion as 40 per cent of raw hides and skins got damaged, Tk 340 million from buyers' claim for not delivering shipment on time, Tk 200 million as imported chemicals are stuck at the ports, Tk 150 million losses from transport cost hike and other losses from workers' wages without any work, bank interests, air charge etc."

"The foreign buyers not only shifted their orders from Bangladesh for the time being, they might never return in the future. This is a disaster for the industry," he added.

BTA Secretary General Mosharraf Hossain, Advisors Shamsul Huda and Shakhawatullah were also present at the press meet.

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