The Bangladesh government has expressed optimism that the country’s earnings from leather exports could be increased to Tk 25,000 million ($405 million) from the existing Tk 18,000 million if the quality of hides and skins is improved through proper preservation. This target was revealed by Bangladesh Fisheries and Livestock Minister, Abdullah Al Noman, at a seminar on the "Need for skinning of hides and skins of livestock and their preservation" recently held at the auditorium of the Institute of Engineers, in Chittagong.

Speaking at the seminar, which was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Finished Leather and Leather Goods, and Footwear Exporters Association and the Bangladesh Tanners Association, the minister urged the development of proper technical know-how in the preservation and maintenance of hides and an improvement in technical knowledge in abattoirs, where hides and skins are often damaged. He stressed the need to train those involved in the slaughtering process in order to improve the quality of hides available.