DHAKA: The tannery industry of the country has already suffered a loss of Tk 959-crore due to the prevailing hartal and blockade.

Bangladesh Tanners Association chairman Shahin Ahmed confirmed the matter at a press conference in National Press Club on Monday.

He also said that the export rate has slid during the ongoing political turmoil.

He also feared that if the situation continues, the export target of 1,397 million dollars will not reach the goal in the current fiscal year.

The price of per square foot leather has been decreased to 1 dollar and 50 cents from 1.70 dollars as the global market is facing declining trend of hide prices, he added.

According to the statistics, around Tk 500-crore loss was faced by the tannery businessmen in the last year.

Moreover, he mentioned other threats for the industry as 40 percent of rawhides are found disqualified, chemicals for the tannery are stuck at ports, transportation cost hike and challenges on road, excessive air charge, high interest rate of bank loan and so on which sum up a loss of Tk 959-crore.

BDST: 2043 HRS, FEB 02, 2015