Dhaka, June 30, 2026: The Footwear and Leather Goods Association of Bangladesh (FLAXA), in collaboration with the Business Promotion Council (BPC) under the Ministry of Commerce, recently organized a seminar titled “Traceability to Transparency: Roadmap to Digital Product Passport in the FLG Sector” at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The event brought together manufacturers, policymakers, government officials, industry leaders, development partners, and technical experts to discuss the future of traceability, sustainability, and digital compliance in Bangladesh’s footwear and leather goods (FLG) industry.
The seminar focused on how traceability systems and Digital Product Passports (DPPs) can help enhance transparency across supply chains, improve sustainability practices, and strengthen the sector’s competitiveness in international markets.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Ferdous Ara Begum, Chief Executive Officer of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD), presented a paper titled “Traceability Towards Transparency for Sustainability.” She highlighted emerging global trade requirements and emphasized that traceability is increasingly becoming a critical factor for market access, particularly in export-oriented industries.
A panel discussion formed a key part of the event, featuring Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce; Dr Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, Chairman of RAPID; Hosna Ferdous Sumi, Senior Private Sector Specialist at the World Bank; and Ibnul Wara, Director of FLAXA.
The session was moderated by Syed Nasim Manzur, President of FLAXA, who led discussions on the opportunities and challenges associated with implementing sector-wide traceability systems and a Digital Product Passport framework across Bangladesh’s footwear and leather goods industry.
Participants discussed how digital traceability can support compliance with evolving international regulations, particularly in major export destinations where buyers and regulators increasingly demand transparency regarding the origin, environmental impact, and sustainability credentials of products.
The seminar also featured two additional technical presentations: “E-Traceability for Sustainable Leather: Lessons from the LeatherTrace Bangladesh Pilot Program” and “Road to Digital Product Passport (DPP)”, both of which explored practical pathways for adopting digital traceability technologies within the sector.
Industry stakeholders noted that embracing traceability and Digital Product Passport systems could help Bangladeshi manufacturers strengthen their position in global value chains, improve sustainability reporting, and meet the growing expectations of international buyers.
At the conclusion of the event, FLAXA thanked all speakers, panelists, partners, and participants for their contributions and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote sustainable growth, innovation, and global competitiveness in Bangladesh’s footwear and leather goods industry.
