Professor Muhammad Yunus, the principal advisor, has called the inability to properly evaluate the nation’s potential leather industry a “crime.” “We were supposed to benefit economically from this industry, but that did not happen,” he said.
He said this at a high-level review meeting on the preparations for leaving the Least Developed Country (LDC) category on Wednesday, July 30, at the Principal Advisor’s office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

During the meeting, he called for a separate session to address the issues facing the leather industry. He emphasized that reassessing the untapped industrial potential is crucial for sustaining the country’s economic growth.

The meeting reviewed the progress of 16 decisions made previously. Among these, the National Board of Revenue (NBR), three ministries of industry, two departments of economic relations, three ministries of commerce, and four offices of principal advisors are collaborating on the implementation of four specific decisions.

NBR Chairman Md. Abdur Rahman Khan reported that the implementation of the National Single Window is advancing, with 19 companies already included. Furthermore, there has been progress in executing the Tariff Policy 2023.

The meeting also covered the complete launch of the Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) in Tannery Village, the establishment of the API Park in Gazaria, and updates to the Industrial Policy 2022.

The Chief Advisor remarked, “We must undertake these initiatives for our own benefit. We need to amend the laws and policies that are ineffective in practice and move forward.”

He also instructed that the next meeting regarding LDC transition should be organized within the next two months.

Attendees of the meeting included Finance Advisor Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Industry Advisor Adilur Rahman Khan, Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, various advisors, secretaries, and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank.