Protest Against Rawhide Export Decision

A wave of protest has swept across the leather sector following the government’s decision to allow rawhide exports during Eid-ul-Azha 2025. Key industry bodies have voiced serious concern, warning that the move could disrupt domestic supply and damage the country’s value-added leather industry.

Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA) Chairman Shaheen Ahmed strongly opposed the decision, stating that rawhides are a value-added product and should be processed domestically. He warned that allowing exports could leave the country’s tanneries without sufficient raw material, putting the Tk 10,000 crore investment in the sector at serious risk

Leading the protest are several major organizations, including:

Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association
Chamra Shilpo Songslishto 13 Songothoner Netribrindo
Tannery Workers Union
Kacha Chamra Arotdar Somiti
Leather Engineers and Technologists Society Bangladesh

These groups argue that rawhides are critical raw materials for local value addition and that exporting them in raw form could jeopardize tannery operations, job security, and industry investment. Demonstrations and press briefings highlight the collective demand to reconsider the export decision and safeguard the future of Bangladesh’s leather sector.

Source: The Daily Star & Footwear Professionals group