Session brief: Leathermaking is one of the oldest crafts, and leather has been part of human civilization for centuries. While the industry has often faced fair criticism over working conditions and environmental impact, leather can be a genuinely sustainable material when produced and managed responsibly. This session explores how Bangladesh can lean into that narrative to grow exports while holding to ESG standards — and how embracing sustainability can boost the country's global competitiveness alongside a more sustainable leather industry overall.
Managing Director, Austan Ltd
Mr. Wara is Managing Director of Austan Ltd., a director at Aus Bangla Jutex Ltd and Picard Bangladesh Ltd, and Convenor of the Marketing Standing Committee at FLAXA. A graduate in Accounting and Business Economics from the University of New South Wales, he entered the leather sector in 2010 and is a vocal advocate for sustainability and strong compliance standards.
Managing Director, Sustainable Leather Foundation (SLF)
Ms. Taylor leads SLF, a not-for-profit set up in 2020 to help the leather industry become more sustainable, and created its Transparency Dashboard — a first for the industry. She previously managed the Leather Working Group (2015–2020) and has consulted for UNECE on traceability in garment and footwear value chains. She is a practitioner member of the Chartered Quality Institute and an SA8000 lead auditor.
Coordinator, GIZ Textile Cluster Bangladesh
Since 2017, Mr. Lange has coordinated GIZ's RMG-sector project portfolio in Bangladesh, financed by Germany's BMZ. He brings 30+ years of management experience across European fashion chains, and previously headed the secretariat of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles in Germany.
Supervisory Board Member, Leather Naturally; Senior Director Operational Strategies, ISA TanTec
A graduate of the West German Tanning School in Reutlingen (1986), Mr. Flach has spent a career in hide, leather and shoe manufacturing, including as COO and Senior Director for Operational Strategies at the Global ISA Group. He has served on LWG's Technical Sub Group since 2017 and Leather Naturally's Supervisory Council since 2021.
Session brief: Integrating further into the global value chain opens up the vast international market for leather products and footwear, driving exports and economic growth. This session looks at de-risking Bangladesh's supply chain, implementing risk-management strategies that improve efficiency and customer satisfaction, and connecting Bangladeshi exporters more closely to the value chains of major brands — including how regionalization and localization trends factor in.
Regional Managing Director – South Asia & President – Global Softlines and Hardlines, Intertek
With close to three decades of experience across South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe in both B2B and B2C, Mr. Das has spent 11 years at Intertek in country and regional leadership roles.
Managing Director, maf Shoes Ltd & maf Footwear Ltd; Director, T.K Group of Industries
Mr. Marshall entered the shoe business straight after graduation, founding maf Shoes Ltd in 2007, which has grown into a leading sports-shoe manufacturer in Bangladesh. He is a former director of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries and is closely involved with FLAXA's initiatives.
Commercial Director, Amann Bangladesh Ltd
Mr. Huq has held strategic sales and marketing roles at Amann Bangladesh (a sister concern of AMANN Group Germany) since 2013, and previously spent 15 years at Coats Bangladesh. He holds an M.Com in Finance & Banking from Dhaka University.
Project Manager, GIZ
Dr. Popp manages GIZ's Social Protection project and has been based in Bangladesh since late 2017, with prior experience in Pakistan and India. She holds a PhD in economics.
Session brief: This open discussion looks at strategies for expanding market access and finding new export frontiers for Bangladesh's leather products and footwear. Bangladesh exported to 119 countries in FY 2022–23, yet 79% of exports were clustered in just 10 markets — both a risk and an opportunity. The session covers market-access challenges, trade policy, and emerging product categories, aiming to leave participants with practical market-entry strategies.
Director, FLAXA & Deputy Managing Director, Picard Bangladesh Limited
With 15 years in the sector, Ms. Islam sits on FLAXA's board and is a strong advocate for female participation in managerial roles across Bangladesh's industry.
Additional Secretary (Export), Export Wing, Ministry of Commerce
Mr. Khan holds an MSc in Public Economic Management & Finance from the University of Birmingham (2005) and has over 20 years of experience across Bangladesh's civil administration, including roles shaping national budget policy under the Medium-Term Budget Framework.
President, Manufacturing and Operations, Advanced Manufacturing Group (AMG)
After starting his supply-chain career in biotech, Mr. Roy moved to Asia in 2004 and has spent the last two decades in footwear manufacturing, helping AMG grow from a single China site into operations across China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and Bangladesh.
Managing Director, Blue Ocean Footwear Limited
With over 11 years in the shoe business, Mr. Lien has spent a decade leading branding and international strategic marketing at Greenland International Ltd, across ladies', men's, kids', lifestyle and sneaker categories.
Harbour Gulshan Link, Ta-94/B (1st & 2nd Floor), Middle Badda, Gulshan Link Road, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Phone: +880-2-58810271-2
Email: info@flaxa.org.bd