No scope for smuggling rawhides out of country: Commerce secy

There is no scope for smuggling rawhides of sacrificial animals out of the country as law enforcement agencies are on high alert, said Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh.

"Law enforcement agencies, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and district administrations, are on the highest alert. Measures have been taken by the government to ensure that leather is not smuggled out in any way," he said while inspecting the management activities of rawhides and the market price of daily necessities in Faridpur on Saturday.

"Prices of rawhides are slightly lower during Eid-ul-Adha due to oversupply. But if preserved properly, rawhides can be sold at good prices later," he said.

The commerce secretary said Bangladesh exports leather to the Chinese market only. "We will be able to export leather to all countries once we obtain the certification of the Leather Working Group. This will boost the leather market, and businessmen will get good prices," he added.

In response to a question from a journalist regarding the lack of a central leather hub in Faridpur to preserve hides, Tapan Kanti said Faridpur Deputy Commissioner has been asked to take the initiative to construct a facility for the preservation of rawhides in a suitable place in the city.

Present during the visit were Faridpur District Deputy Commissioner Kamrul Ahsan Talukdar, Faridpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Md Nazrul Islam, and Faridpur Leather and Meat Traders Association President Jane Alam.