Bangladeshi nationalised commercial banks (NCB) lent Tk2.7 billion ($38
million) to businessmen to purchase hides and skins during the three-day
Eid-ul-Azha festival which began on January 1.

President of the Bangladesh Hides and Skin Merchants’ Association (BHSMA) Azizur Rahman stated that he now felt hopeful that the market is ready to purchase hides and skins in larger quantity than in previous year despite significant increases in the prices of sacrificial animals. President of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters Association (BFLLFEA), Tipu Munshi, also expressed satisfaction over the increased funding to enable more hides and skins to be purchased.