“What if we resolved it ourselves?”: In Bangladesh, tanners put their candidacy for Savar’s CEPT’s management forward

Tanneries’ owners active in Savar Tannery Industrial City, in Bangladesh, wish to manage the Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CEPT, in the image taken from rmgbd.net). The proposal was advanced a few days ago, during a meeting between the entrepreneurs and government representatives, among which was also present the Minister of Industry Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Apex Tannery’s president Syed Manzur Elahi, and the president of Bangladesh’s Association that represents manufacturers and exporters of leather goods and footwear Md Saiful Islam, the president of Bangladesh Tanners Association Shaheen Ahmed and the president of Bangladesh Finished Leather Goods and Footwear Exporters (Mohiuddin Ahmed Mahin). On one end, the government’s representatives highlighted the “good progress made in the construction of the CETP”, done in the complete adherence of indications that came from international consultants, while on the other hand entrepreneurs showcased some of the defects, even if they could easily be overcome. Maybe now, after many expectations, slowdowns and inadequacies, something (positive) will start to move along.  Just a month ago, in Savar, widespread complaints were made towards the Chinese contractor that won the bid to manage the water treatment center, but that hasn’t completed construction yet.