Dhaka, May 29 -- The government aims to transform Bangladesh's leather industry into a stronger, export-oriented sector by ensuring maximum utilisation of sacrificial animal hides from Eid-ul-Azha, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting raw hide trading operations at Posta in Lalbagh, the minister said a comprehensive, long-term plan covering development, preservation, processing and export capacity of the leather sector would be placed before the nation by July.

"We believe that through the government's coordinated efforts, active participation of traders and depot owners, and mosque- and madrasa-based hide preservation drives, most of the sacrificial hides this year will be co...