Experts have emphasised the need for Bangladesh to address delivery time concerns in order to unlock the potential of its leather goods and footwear manufacturing sector in the global market.

They also advocated for expedited customs clearance, streamlined port services, the development of a robust backward linkage industry, and the enhancement of human resource skills.

Syed Nasim Manzur, President of LFMEAB and Managing Director of Apex Footwear Ltd., stressed that Bangladesh should no longer be seen as a mere low-cost destination for footwear manufacturing, as the country maintains international standards and faces rising expenses even as he emphasised the importance of meeting the basic needs of the workforce while also noting the government is committed to improving the living standards of its human resources.

He also expressed the view that, given Bangladesh’s land scarcity, local companies should be given preference even as he urged foreign businesses to introduce modern technologies in Bangladesh, as they have done in other manufacturing countries like China.

“You may see a calendar, but we see timepieces,” meanwhile remarked Michael Roy, President of Manufacturing and Operations of Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG), emphasising the importance of reducing lead times.

He also pointed out that opportunities await Bangladeshi manufacturers, and they must proactively seize them.