Even as the latest official deadline pertaining to relocation of tanneries from Hazaribagh to under-construction Savar Tannery Estate tannery expired, tannery owners in Bangladesh are reportedly engaged in tough bargaining and parleys with the Government to get their demands accepted.
According to reports, the hide-tanning firms recently held a series of meetings with higher authorities of the Ministry of Industries (MoI), demanding immediate release of the second installment of the government’s special fund of Tk 2.50 billion as compensation for shifting their heavy infrastructure.
Also Read – Bangladesh govt serves legal notice to 25 tanneries
It may be mentioned here that earlier, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu gave an ultimatum to tanners to start relocating to the Leather Industrial City at Savar within the stipulated deadline or face tough government action, including cancellation of plots at Savar.
“I will take action. I will cancel their plot allotment and even close down their factories in Hazaribagh,” Amu reportedly said. The minister also reportedly instructed the state-run Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to serve legal notices on the errant tanneries. After receiving the instructions from the Industries Minister, BSCIC reportedly prepared a list of 28 tanneries which did very little towards relocating to Savar. However, later, BSCIC is said to have dropped names of three tanneries from the list as those had started developing their sites in Savar.
Also Read – Tannery Relocation: Bangladesh govt relaxes conditions on compensation
The relocation of tanneries is very important for the Bangladesh leather industry as international buyers of Bangladeshi leather products are reportedly threatening to cut down their order volumes in view of the growing awareness among consumers about green manufacturing practices in the light of global warming.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
