As part of the Philippine Embassy’s thrust of advancing economic diplomacy, Ambassador Alan L. Deniega recently visited the shoe and leather export firm Akij Footwear Limited. The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Sheikh Nafis Uddin Fahim -- who is recognized as one of the country’s leading business personalities -- warmly welcomed Ambassador Deniega and his economic team in the very modern factory, located just outside of Dhaka.
Sheikh Nafis shared the beginnings of the company, including how much it has grown from 1992, as Savar Industry (PVT) Ltd., then located at Dhaka Export Processing Zone.
The company produces leather shoes, which can total to several thousands of pairs a day, plus wallets, belts, and bags. It now employs hundreds of highly-skilled staff, which includes foreign experts. Ambassador Deniega noted that the production line is a combination of manual craftsmanship and state-of-the art modern equipment.
Bangladesh is known world-wide not only for its ready-made garments, but also for the strength of its leather industry, which has been declared as one of the priority industries of the government.
Akij Footwear Limited exports to the major markets of Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, UK, and the USA.
