COMESA/LLPI in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSec) organized a Workshop on the Establishment of a Regional Design Studio for Leather Footwear and Leather Goods.
The Workshop was held on September 15-16, 2015 at Jupiter International Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The main objective of the Workshop was to discuss on problems of Product Development, Design and Fashion Forecast in the Region and consequently the importance of establishing a Regional Design Studio for Leather Footwear and Leather Goods and how to device mechanisms to setup the Studio.
The Workshop was officially opened by Dr. Rashimi Banga, Head of Trade Competitiveness Section, COMSec Headquarters.
Participants were government representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Swazilland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition, participants from the Commonwealth Secretariat, Center for World Trade Organization (WTO) Studies and OsanNimu Design Company attended the Workshop.
The Workshop attendants from invited Member States also presented "Case Studies" on leather sector value addition activities and design initiatives in their respective countries.
At the end of the Workshop participants agreed the establishment of a Regional Design Studio for Leather Footwear and Leather Goods at Regional level and its satelietes in selected COMESA/LLPI Member Countries.
The full cost of the Workshop was covered by the Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSec).