Tannery Owners Frustrated by Inoperative CETP as Rawhide Collection Faces Sharp Decline

Following Eid-ul-Azha, Bangladesh is expected to see a 10–15% drop in rawhide collection—down to around 8 million from over 9 million last year. Despite high export potential, the leather industry may face setbacks again due to the inoperative Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) in Savar, which tannery owners describe as a major obstacle. They suggest a BDT 3 billion reinvestment could revive the sector. Meanwhile, rawhide is being purchased at government-fixed rates—Tk 60–65 per square foot in Dhaka and Tk 55–60 outside the capital.