A Four-member delegation of DR Congo visited the Ethiopian Leather Sector from September 25 to October 1, 2016. The Delegation was accorded a warm welcome at COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute, by Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija – Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI, and other senior members of the Institute. The visiting delegation included Mr. SAFARI BASINYIZE Roger, Prime Minister’s Advisor-DR Congo, Mr. BIDUAYA MUSUMBU EZECHIEL and Mr. MANGA BOLENGU VITAL, both Directors at the Office for the Promotion of Congolese Small and Medium Enterprises (OPEC) and Mr. BAHATI KAYEYE, SME owner and professional footwear manufacturer.
The visit was a benchmarking exercise, as part of the implementation of the feasibility study for the establishment of a Pilot SME Incubator in the Leather Sector in Kinshasa, and the country’s Leather Sector Value Chain Strategy Development. COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI) is facilitating the execution of these assignments in collaboration with OPEC.
The Delegation held meetings with COMESA/LLPI Experts and visited the Leather Industry Development Institute of Ethiopia, Tanneries, Footwear manufacturing Enterprises, and SMEs organized into Cluster and those operating outside Cluster.
The Delegation expressed their appreciation to COMESA/LLPI for the well organized visit program and said that they have met all their mission objectives and were highly impressed with what they have seen.