<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday announced the formation of a leather industry development authority for the growth of the country’s leather and leather goods sector.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>“I am announcing a leather development authority for the improvement of the leather industry. We, the Prime Minister’s Office, will form a leather industry development authority separately,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier made this announcement while inaugurating the 4th edition of Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show (BLLISS-2023) at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.</div><div><br></div><div>But the BLLISS-2023 is being held at International Convention City Bashundhara till Saturday next.</div><div><br></div><div>Sheikh Hasina said her government has a plan to develop area-based tannery industry (industrial estates) in several more places including Chattogram and Rajshahi in the country in phases.</div><div><br></div><div>"If we can do it (developing area-based tannery industry), the preservation, processing and use of leathers would go up. Because, it will develop as a big industry for us,” she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Founder of Golden Chang Group James Ho and Founder &amp; Chairman of Advanced Manufacturing Group Jonathan Bobbett spoke on the occasion.</div><div><br></div><div>President of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers &amp; Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Syed Nasim Manzur delivered the welcome speech. - UNB</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>