Bangladesh’s leather industry is facing an acute capital shortage due to the fall in exports, which might result in continuance of serious hardships the leather goods and footwear exporters are facing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. As per media reports, exports orders for Bangladesh may fall by more than 50 per cent this year!

Such a scenario would put question marks on continuance of operations as entities have been facing losses since last 7-8 months, more so for the small manufacturers, who could very well shut shop for good.

Nasir Khan, Chairman and Managing Director, Jennys Shoes has witnessed a 30 per cent decline in orders this year. The company usually receives orders for next summer during this time.

Khan, who is also Vice-President of the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) is also not sure when exports would become normal again as buyers are not keen on placing new order amidst the global threat of coronavirus pandemic’s second wave.

Rubina Akter Munni, Owner, Design by Rubina, is also not sure when she will recover from this crisis, reportedly, said another entrepreneur and owner of Design by Rubina. The designer has not received any orders from abroad currently while it has also lost sample orders worth around Taka 1 crore from global buyers on account of the coronavirus pandemic.