Leather sector stakeholders at a sobering discussion marking `World Leather Day 2025` revealed a stark reality: Bangladesh’s leather industry, once a promising economic driver, is stagnating—lagging 30 years behind global standards.

Hosted by Footwear Exchange at the Dhaka Tannery Industrial Estate Waste Treatment Plant Company Limited (DTIEWTPCL) at Harindhara in Savar, on Dhaka’s outskirts, under the theme `Beyond the Surface: It’s Our Time to Be Visible, Vocal, and Responsible,` the event brought together industry leaders to confront a decade-long decline and chart a path forward.

A sector in decline

The numbers tell a grim story. In 2012, Bangladesh’s leather sector generated $1.13 billion in revenue, a figure that has since plummeted to $970 million by 2024—a 14% drop over 12 years. Despite the country’s abundant rawhide resources and growth in other industries, the leather sector remains trapped in a time warp. “The types of leather we produced 20 to 30 years ago are still being made today, with no innovation,” speakers at the event lamented. This stagnation has left the industry struggling to compete on the global stage.

The discussion, moderated by DTIEWTPCL Managing Director Golam Shahnewaz, featured key figures like Shaheen Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), alongside Salauddin Mahmud Khan of Apex Tannery and Tariqul Islam Khan of Marson Tannery. Representatives from the Leather Engineers and Technologists Society of Bangladesh and the Leather Products and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (LFMEAB) also weighed in, painting a picture of an industry at a crossroads.

Structural barriers to growth

A core issue highlighted was the lack of autonomy for industry stakeholders. Shaheen Ahmed pointed to a stark contrast with Kolkata, where leather industry owners are primary shareholders and decision-makers. “In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) officials run the sector like the ministry, sidelining tannery owners,” he said. Ahmed called for increased shares and influence for tannery owners, alongside better coordination among industry associations to tackle the crisis.

Mohammad Ali, President of the Leather Engineers and Technologists Society of Bangladesh, emphasized the untapped potential of leather engineers. “Engineers have a big role in modernizing this sector, but that role isn’t being played effectively,” he noted. Meanwhile, LFMEAB Director Mushfiqur Rahman acknowledged the global demand for leather and footwear, admitting, “We’re far behind, but we’re committed to development.”

Opportunities amid challenges

Despite the downturn, Bangladesh’s leather sector holds significant potential. The country is rich in rawhide, a critical resource, and its workforce is eager for modernization. However, the lack of innovation in production techniques and limited investment in research and development have stifled progress. The industry’s inability to adapt to global trends—such as sustainable leather production or advanced tanning technologies—has left it uncompetitive.

The event underscored the need for structural reforms, including empowering industry associations, increasing stakeholder ownership, and fostering innovation through engineering talent. Investments in modern technology and sustainable practices could help the sector regain its footing and tap into the growing global demand for leather goods.

A call to action

Leather industry in Bangladesh: A $970m sector stuck in the past
Leather sector stakeholders at a sobering discussion marking `World Leather Day 2025` revealed a stark reality: Bangladesh’s leather industry, once a promising economic driver, is stagnating—lagging 30 years behind global standards.

Hosted by Footwear Exchange at the Dhaka Tannery Industrial Estate Waste Treatment Plant Company Limited (DTIEWTPCL) at Harindhara in Savar, on Dhaka’s outskirts, under the theme `Beyond the Surface: It’s Our Time to Be Visible, Vocal, and Responsible,` the event brought together industry leaders to confront a decade-long decline and chart a path forward.

A sector in decline

The numbers tell a grim story. In 2012, Bangladesh’s leather sector generated $1.13 billion in revenue, a figure that has since plummeted to $970 million by 2024—a 14% drop over 12 years. Despite the country’s abundant rawhide resources and growth in other industries, the leather sector remains trapped in a time warp. “The types of leather we produced 20 to 30 years ago are still being made today, with no innovation,” speakers at the event lamented. This stagnation has left the industry struggling to compete on the global stage.

The discussion, moderated by DTIEWTPCL Managing Director Golam Shahnewaz, featured key figures like Shaheen Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), alongside Salauddin Mahmud Khan of Apex Tannery and Tariqul Islam Khan of Marson Tannery. Representatives from the Leather Engineers and Technologists Society of Bangladesh and the Leather Products and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (LFMEAB) also weighed in, painting a picture of an industry at a crossroads.

Structural barriers to growth

A core issue highlighted was the lack of autonomy for industry stakeholders. Shaheen Ahmed pointed to a stark contrast with Kolkata, where leather industry owners are primary shareholders and decision-makers. “In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) officials run the sector like the ministry, sidelining tannery owners,” he said. Ahmed called for increased shares and influence for tannery owners, alongside better coordination among industry associations to tackle the crisis.

Mohammad Ali, President of the Leather Engineers and Technologists Society of Bangladesh, emphasized the untapped potential of leather engineers. “Engineers have a big role in modernizing this sector, but that role isn’t being played effectively,” he noted. Meanwhile, LFMEAB Director Mushfiqur Rahman acknowledged the global demand for leather and footwear, admitting, “We’re far behind, but we’re committed to development.”

Opportunities amid challenges

Despite the downturn, Bangladesh’s leather sector holds significant potential. The country is rich in rawhide, a critical resource, and its workforce is eager for modernization. However, the lack of innovation in production techniques and limited investment in research and development have stifled progress. The industry’s inability to adapt to global trends—such as sustainable leather production or advanced tanning technologies—has left it uncompetitive.

The event underscored the need for structural reforms, including empowering industry associations, increasing stakeholder ownership, and fostering innovation through engineering talent. Investments in modern technology and sustainable practices could help the sector regain its footing and tap into the growing global demand for leather goods.

A call to action

The `World Leather Day 2025` discussion served as a wake-up call for Bangladesh’s leather industry. To reverse its decline, the sector must embrace innovation, empower its stakeholders, and align with global standards. As Shaheen Ahmed put it, “Coordination and autonomy are essential to overcome this crisis.” With the right reforms, Bangladesh’s leather industry could transform its $970 million sector into a global contender—finally stepping out of the shadows of its past.

The `World Leather Day 2025` discussion served as a wake-up call for Bangladesh’s leather industry. To reverse its decline, the sector must embrace innovation, empower its stakeholders, and align with global standards. As Shaheen Ahmed put it, “Coordination and autonomy are essential to overcome this crisis.” With the right reforms, Bangladesh’s leather industry could transform its $970 million sector into a global contender—finally stepping out of the shadows of its past.