Dhaka, June 8 -- Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday said Bangladesh's leather industry has the potential to generate more than $10 billion in export earnings, making it a strong alternative export sector alongside the country's existing major industries.

Responding to a supplementary question from ruling party lawmaker Alhaj Jashim Uddin Ahmed (Chattogram-14) in Parliament, the minister said leather exports have remained stagnant at around $1.10-$1.15 billion annually over the past three years due to several structural challenges.

He said the relocation of tanneries from Hazaribagh to Savar, although intended to modernise the industry and improve environmental compliance, has adversely affected leather processing capac...