Lotto investing Tk 15 crore in new Gazipur footwear plant

Lotto Bangladesh is investing Tk 15 crore to establish a new footwear manufacturing plant in Kapasia, Gazipur, as the Italian sports and lifestyle brand marks 15 years of operations in Bangladesh.

The investment is expected to create 1,800 employment opportunity for local people, said Kazi Jamil Islam, managing director of the company, at a media gathering at Gulshan Club in Dhaka today.

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The new plant will produce footwear using TPR (thermoplastic rubber), EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), PU (polyurethane) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which are widely used in shoe soles, synthetic leather and moulded footwear products.

The plant will primarily serve the local market, with potential for exports in the future, he said.

The facility is part of the company’s expansion strategy, which also includes expanding its retail network and developing local entrepreneurs.

Currently, the footwear company operates 137 outlets and 110 franchise outlets across the country and has served more than one crore customers, according to the company.

The Kapasia plant will boost production capacity and create further employment and export opportunities, Jamil said.

The company also sees potential to manufacture products for other international brands in Bangladesh.

Lotto is now preparing to launch an Entrepreneur Development Programme targeting young and aspiring businesspeople at the thana level.

Participants will receive guidance on business operations, logistics support and potential access to financing through partner institutions.

The company aims to help successful entrepreneurs build networks of up to 20 outlets over the next 10 years.

“Our next chapter will focus not only on innovative products and retail expansion, but also on developing local entrepreneurs,” Jamil said.

He said the initiative could help young entrepreneurs build businesses to international standards while creating jobs across the country.

Lotto Bangladesh also unveiled its Puja collection and previewed its upcoming winter range of footwear, apparel and lifestyle products.

The company said it plans to expand its retail footprint, introduce new products and strengthen local manufacturing as it enters its next phase of growth.