In spite of the ambitious goals set by the government of Bangladesh for the sector over the next few years, which wants its output to grow by least 15 percent a year (Shoe Intelligence Vol. 19 N° 23+24 of Dec. 23), the country's total exports of leather and leather products fell by 1.2 percent to $620 million in the six months to December. However, exports of leather shoes increased by 8.5 percent to $307.5 million during the period.