ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the state of industrial development in Bangladesh in the light of the findings of three industry studies: leather manufacturing, fertilizer manufacturing and machinery manufacturing. Like many other developing countries, Bangladesh has always emphasised industrial development. Technology transfer in a situation of aid dependence can involve special problems, especially if the recipient fails to negotiate properly. The way technology acquisition has taken place in Bangladesh has given rise to much criticism. The leather manufacturing sector in Bangladesh is reasonably well-established, with about 200 government-recognised leather plants processing raw hides and skins into wet blue, crust and finished leather. Foreign financial aid has been crucial in the development of the fertilizer industry in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has a large capital goods sector, built over the last 25–30 years, with a number of large-scale plants capable of producing various items of machinery and equipment. Bangladesh has become heavily dependent on aid.
