AN ANALYSIS ON THE LEATHER INDUSTRY OF BANGLADESH: IDENTIFICATION OF BARRIERS, CHALLENGES, AND WAY OUTS

The leather industry of Bangladesh has huge potential. Despite the availability of raw skins, low-cost labor, and the fact that this sector began a few decades ago, it has not evolved to its full potential. Furthermore, this sector's performance is deteriorating. The main purpose of this study is to explore the major causes behind such a downturn and also try to point out the major barriers, challenges, and make suggestions for combating these challenges. The data acquired via a questionnaire from officials of 45 different companies were reviewed by the researcher in order to achieve these objectives. In analyzing and making interpretation simple tabular along with graphical methods have been employed. The majority of participants gave positive replies when it came to the availability of high-quality indigenous raw hides, low-cost efficient labor, electricity, gas, and water supplies. Respondents had negative attitudes toward the availability of indigenous sub-materials and chemicals, infrastructural development in accordance with international standards, the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), the existence of an appropriate integrated plan, and the use of sophisticated technology, among other things. The study's last section outlines the significant limitations/barriers, challenges/threats, and recommendations for overcoming these potential challenges in Bangladesh's leather sector. This section was created primarily from the responses to four descriptive questions in the questionnaire's lower section.  Keywords: Leather industry, Relocation, CETP, LWG certification.