Addressing a recent seminar organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh tannery owners demanded compensation and financial assistance of Tk4.5 billion ($65 million) to assist them in the relocation of some 200 leather facilities from Hazaribagh in Dhaka city  to the newly-built Savar Leather Industry Estate.

Speaking at the meeting, president of the Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leathergoods and Footwear Exporters Association (BFLLFEA), Tipu Sultan said that the Tk2.5 billion allocated for the move was insufficient.

He also urged officials to provide short-term financing facilities for the industry at preferential rates in order to allow tanners to provide technical training, purchase modern machinery and implement new marketing strategies for the leather sector in order to improve international competitiveness.