Misinformation being spread about leather in the country: Commerce Adviser

Sheikh Bashiruddin, Adviser to the Ministry of Commerce, Textiles and Jute, and Civil Aviation and Tourism, has commented that a deliberate misinformation campaign is being carried out about leather in the country. Speaking at a meeting with leather traders in Chakbaidyanath, Natore, on Tuesday (June 10), he highlighted that leather sales have reached their highest prices in the past decade, yet this positive development is being overlooked.

Sheikh Bashiruddin said, “In Chattogram, seasonal traders have spoiled 620 pieces of leather this created a nationwide uproar, but not a single piece of leather has been spoiled in Dhaka. Negative information is being spread about the entire market based on a few isolated incidents, which is not true.”

Regarding leather preservation, he said, “The government has taken initiatives to preserve leather using salt, so that the leather does not spoil and traders get good prices. When a large supply floods the market in a single day, prices are somewhat affected. However, if preserved and sold gradually, better prices can be obtained.”

He also said, “Through the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), the government has provided tannery owners with three types of salt samples. After testing, they have identified the suitable salt. Subsequently, the government purchased 750,000 maunds (approx. 45,000 tonnes) of salt and distributed it nationwide. Some are talking about price hikes of salt, but we must also consider our salt farmers.”

On the outlook toward business and trade, the adviser said, “We want inclusive business. Not just with one or two countries, but we want to trade with all countries of the world including India, China, Pakistan, and the United States. Similarly, we will also import products from the global market.”

He further said, “Compared to the last 10 years, Qurbani leather has been sold at the highest prices this time, and we expect prices to rise further next year. For this, everyone must work together. We need to focus on expanding trade for the growth of our economy.”

During the time, Natore’s Police Superintendent Amzad Hossain, Additional District Commissioner (General) Abul Hayat, Secretary of the Leather Traders Association Abdul Halim Siddiqui, and local business leaders.

Earlier, when the commerce adviser arrived at Natore Stadium by helicopter, senior officials of the district administration and police welcomed him. Later, he inspected the country’s second largest leather market in Natore.