Set up at cost of $1.87 million, the first phase of the centre was funded by the Italian government in cooperation with the International Trade Centre (ITC), based in Geneva.

The second phase of the centre will be set up at a leather complex, currently under construction in Savar, and will also be funded by the Italian government.

The centre will conduct quality testing, ensure certification, offer training, design and development and extend financial guidance, intelligence and marketing and pilot test runs to local leather manufacturers.