Leathertech Bangladesh 2025, an international trade show, began in Dhaka on December 4, showcasing raw materials, machinery, chemicals, accessories and components for the leather sector alongside finished leather, travel goods and both leather and non-leather footwear.
More than 200 local and foreign exhibitors are taking part in the event, which occupies 15,000 square metres at the International Convention City Bashundhara in the capital.
The expo is being organised by ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Limited with the support of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB).
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), inaugurated the expo as chief guest, while Syed Nasim Manzur, president of LFMEAB, attended as special guest.
Leaders of industry associations from Bangladesh, China, India and Pakistan were also present, reflecting the regional significance of the event.
Leathertech Bangladesh began its journey 11 years ago as a technology platform created to bring innovations in footwear, travel goods and allied manufacturing from across the world closer to local producers.
Over the years, it has become the most preferred platform for exploring and expanding opportunities in Bangladesh’s leather, footwear and travel goods sector.
In the past decade, it has grown into the country’s leading networking platform for the leather industry.
“The 11th edition will feature pavilions from the Council for Leather Exports India (CLE), Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA), India Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA), and the Confederation of Indian Footwear Industries (CIFI), along with a pavilion from the Guangdong Shoe-Making Machinery Association (GSMA) of China,” said Tipu Sultan Bhuiyan, managing director of ASK Trade & Exhibitions Pvt Ltd.
“Most of the leading industry associations are supporting the event, with LFMEAB providing the lead support. Nearly 200 exhibitors from eight countries, including Bangladesh, are participating in the largest technology trade show for the leather sector in the country.”
“Bangladesh’s leather industry now stands on the threshold of realising its full potential. An exhibition like ‘Leathertech’ is not merely a showcase; it is a remarkable initiative to propel the sector towards that ultimate potential,” the BIDA executive chairman said at the event.
“Such events signal that the leather industry is ready to enter a new chapter. I firmly believe that with coordinated efforts between the public and private sectors, Bangladesh’s leather industry will advance much further.”
The LFMEAB president, Syed Nasim Manzur, said: “The leather industry of Bangladesh is now at a crossroads to accelerate export-oriented manufacturing. To move to the next level, policy liberalisation is essential.”
“If we can strengthen the right connections between our country and neighbouring economies, technological development within the leather sector will progress even faster,” he said.
The leather and footwear industry is Bangladesh’s second-largest export sector after readymade garments, contributing approximately 3% of the global leather goods market and meeting nearly 10% of global leather demand.
Designated as a priority sector for export diversification under the Industry Policy 2022, the industry is positioning itself as a global sourcing hub, backed by a cost-competitive workforce, abundant raw materials and targeted policy incentives.
Bangladesh’s leather and footwear exports continued their recovery in October FY25–26, posting a 9.7% year-on-year growth, reaching $591.5 million compared with $539.4 million last year, according to data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
Gates of the three-day showcase will remain open to business visitors free of charge from 11am to 7pm every day.
Written By Shoyeb Rehaan
