Taskforce needed to overcome challenges in leather sector: Syed Manzur Elahi

A powerful taskforce is needed to overcome the challenges in the potential leather sector, Syed Manzur Elahi, chairman of Apex Footwear Ltd, said today.

"Time has come for an action plan. A taskforce should be formed with representation from different stakeholders," said Elahi, an adviser to a former caretaker government.

He was speaking at a webinar on "Reviving the Leather Sector in the Aftermath of Covid-19' jointly organised by the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), The Asia Foundation (TAF) and RAPID.

A lot of discussion and seminars have been held on the development of the leather sector and Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) over the last many years but still very little is done, Elahi said.

The taskforce will hold at least a meeting in a month to make a leather sector roadmap, he said adding that if Bangladesh wants to export more leather and leather goods, the country will have to follow the compliance.