Bangladesh’s leather and footwear industry ranks as the country’s 2nd-largest export sector after ready-made garments. The manufacture of leather and related products provides employment to approximately 2.04 lakh individuals[1] and accounts for about 2.37 percent[2] of the country’s total export earnings as per ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics 2024, while contributing nearly 1.96 percent to the country’s GDP.[3] The Industry Policy 2022 made this sector a priority, and Bangladesh is becoming a global sourcing hub because it has a cost-competitive workforce, access to raw materials, and policy incentives.[4]