Bangladesh Plans Action-Oriented Roadmap to Boost Leather and Footwear Industry

Bangladesh’s Commerce Ministry is developing an action-oriented roadmap to strengthen the leather and footwear industry, address key challenges, improve compliance and traceability, and expand domestic and export opportunities.

Speaking at the opening of the 10th Bangladesh Leather and Footwear Expo 2026 in Dhaka, Commerce Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan announced that Bangladesh is preparing an action-oriented roadmap to address key challenges in the leather and footwear industry, strengthen the domestic market and boost exports.

The ministry plans to publish the draft roadmap on its website to gather feedback from industry stakeholders, including tannery owners, manufacturers, traders and technologists. The secretary said their practical experience and industry needs will be reflected in the final plan.

A high level committee chaired by the commerce minister has also been formed to oversee the broader development of Bangladesh’s leather sector. The roadmap is being prepared following government directives and will focus on identifying industry challenges, tapping domestic demand and creating opportunities to increase exports.

Focus on Compliance and Traceability

The government plans to support exporters in meeting international buyer requirements and standards, particularly in areas such as environmental and social compliance, technology and changing global market demands.

As part of this effort, the Commerce Ministry is developing a responsible business conduct framework and a national traceability framework. Separate traceability systems are also planned for priority sectors.

Ataur also called for stronger cooperation between industry and educational institutions to promote research and improve the connection between leather technology students, researchers, tannery owners and entrepreneurs.

Bangladesh’s Leather and Footwear Potential

Bangladesh has significant potential in leather and footwear, supported by locally available raw materials and a growing base of technical expertise.

The country has around 5,500 small footwear factories alongside larger manufacturers and ranks eighth globally in footwear production and ninth in footwear consumption, according to information presented at the event.

Bangladesh produces an estimated 270 million square feet of leather annually, with most of the output exported. Key destinations include Italy, South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The country exports processed leather as well as footwear, travel bags, belts, wallets and other leather goods. Local handicraft businesses are also exporting leather based products.

At the same time, domestic footwear demand is growing, while local manufacturers are receiving production orders from international brands. This is encouraging several companies to expand their manufacturing capacity.

Industry Expo Brings Stakeholders Together

The three-day Bangladesh Leather and Footwear Expo 2026 run through September 26 at ICCB, with more than 250 local and international companies participating.

The expo is being jointly organized by the Bangladesh Tanners Association (BTA), Leather Engineers and Technologists Society of Bangladesh (LETS'B) and Limra Trade Fairs and Exhibitions Pvt Ltd.

The roadmap initiative comes as Bangladesh’s leather and footwear industry seeks to move beyond its existing export base, strengthen compliance and traceability, and capture a larger share of both domestic and international markets.