Shafi Sammi Mahdi:

The price of leather was fixed by the Ministry of Commerce. The price set for the holy Eid-ul-Azha this year is much lower than last year. This year, the price of salted rawhides for Dhaka has been fixed at 35-40 taka per sq ft cow and outside Dhaka at 26-32 taka, which was 45-50 taka in Dhaka last year. And outside Dhaka, it was 35 to 40 taka.

On the other hand, goatskin has been fixed at Tk 13 to 15 per square foot and at Tk 10 to 12 per square foot across the country. Last year, this was fixed at Tk 18 to 20 and at Tk 13 to 15. The price was fixed by the Commerce Ministry at a meeting on Sunday.

According to the ministry, the price was fixed in consultation with the concerned trade association, Tannery Association, considering the price of raw leather in the local and international markets and the overall context. Tannery owners have announced to buy rawhides at fixed prices.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that in order to ensure a fixed price for leather, it is necessary to ensure proper collection of leather and timely application of salt.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, the monitoring team formed by the Ministry of Commerce will strictly monitor the issues across the country from the day of Eid. Everyone concerned has to play a responsible role in this regard. If necessary, raw leather and wet blue leather will be exported this time.

The Minister of Commerce said the government has taken necessary steps to ensure that the leather is not wasted this year and to ensure a fixed price. Necessary salt should be mixed within five-six hours of skin collection. There is enough salt in the country, necessary measures have been taken to supply it. All the Divisional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners have been given the responsibility to supervise the overall management including collection, storage, processing, and sale of leather at fixed prices. The National Consumer Rights Protection Department will monitor at the district level.

Arrangements have been made to run publicity campaigns on various television channels, radio and community radio. The ministry also said that arrangements have been made to send video messages to 1 million people on Facebook and YouTube and distribute adequate handbills.

In the meeting conducted by, Commerce Secretary, Zafar Uddin, information Secretary Kamrun Nahar, FBCCI vice president, Siddiqur Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association, Shahin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association, Mohiuddin Ahmed, President of Leather Goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Md. Saiful Islam and Bangladesh Hide and Merchant Association President Aftab Khan were present.

Source: Prothom Alo