Based on an international tender, the Government of Bangladesh has signed a contract with an Indian consortium comprising M L Dalmiya & Co Ltd, Schemco Consult Pvt Ltd, Indian Leather Industry Foundation, Consulting Management Incorporate Pvt Ltd and Sheltech Pvt Ltd for the survey, planning, design, estimate, preparation of tender documents and supervision for the development of tannery estate with integrated common effluent treatment plant (CETP). The new zone was announced by Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) chairman ABM Kamarul Islam and ML Dalmia and Company Director KN Jalain after signing the MoU.

In view of the forthcoming elections, Islam explained the need for completion of the tannery relocation programme as soon as possible. The Bangladesh government would like to complete the infrastructure building (including the CETP and the solid waste dumping yard) in Savar by the end of 2006. UNIDO was requested to complete the present preparatory assistance before the end of December 2005, but it was made clear to the Ministry of Industry that due to the amount of work and availability of international experts, the likely completion date of the project is the end of February 2006.