Cowhide prices fixed at Tk 50-55 for capital; Tk 40-45 for elsewhere
NTV Online
Dhaka: The government has fixed raw cowhide prices at Tk 50-55 per square foot for the capital while at Tk 40-45 for outside Dhaka with issuing necessary directives for border guards to check rawhide smuggling.
Besides, the prices of goatskins have been fixed at Tk 20-22 per square foot across the country while that of she-goat at Tk 15-17.
However, the price of buffalo rawhides will be fixed as per logical market rate.
The decision came from a meeting held at the Commerce Ministry conference room with minister Tofail Ahmed in the chair on Sunday, as the Eid-ul-Azha is likely to be held on September 2.
The minister said there will be no cattle crisis during the Eid-ul-Azha as domestic production of cattle is on the rise following government efforts. "Cattle prices will also remain stable."
He mentioned that some 1.4 crore cattle were sacrificed last year while the stock of cattle this time is 1,15,57,000.
Tofail said the government has fixed the prices for rawhides in line with the international market prices and in consultation with tanners.
He sought a 'responsible role' from all in maintaining the rawhide prices fixed by the government.
Police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been given necessary directives so that rawhides cannot smuggle out of the country, said the Commerce Minister.
"Rawhides can be moved from one district to another, but no scope will be given to take rawhides out of the country in an illegal way," he asserted.
Considering the importance of salt in the process, he said the government has decided to import 5 lakh metric tonnes of crude salt which will arrive before the Eid-ul-Azha.
Tofail said the government has announced leather as 'Product of the Year' and Bangladesh wants to earn US$ 5 billion by 2021 through exporting leather goods.
Commerce secretary Subhashish Bose, Industries Secretary Muhammad Abdullah, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) vice chairman Bijoy Bhattacharjee and leaders of the Bangladesh Tannery Association, FBCCI, representatives from Bangladesh Bank, BGB and police were present.