The Ethio-International Footwear Cluster Cooperative Society (EIFCCOS) Five Year Strategy was launched on June 2, 2015 at Elilly International Hotel, Addis Ababa Ethiopia by His Excellency Mr. Tadesse Haile, State Minster, Ministry of Industry of Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The Strategy is expected to enhance productivity, quality of products and in turn improve the market access of the EIFCCOS products.
EIFCCOS is a cluster cooperative established to support the transformation of footwear artisans who were operating in open markets in and around Addis Ababa. Primarily EIFCCOS was established to address the supply and demand constraints jointly, which were responsible for undermining the growth of these informal entities into fully fledged businesses, with the capacity to contribute to the growth and development agenda of Ethiopia.
COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute fully sponsored and facilitated the development of the medium term Strategy. The launching event was attended by more than 70 participants representing EIFCCOS cluster members, Ethiopia Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI), Ethiopia Leather Industry Association (ELIA), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and other governmental and Non-governmental Organizations.
H.E. Mr. Tadesse, State Minister, Ministry of Industry, after declaring the official launch of the Strategy, made a key note address. He gave highlights of the government’s policy with regard to industrialization, the identification of leather sector as priority area and focus given to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). He then thanked COMESA/LLPI for all the support and many activities that the Institute is undertaking for the development of the leather sector in Ethiopia and for the formulation of the EIFCCOS Strategy that complement the Government’s efforts.
Mr. Kidane Haile, EIFCCOS Chairman, in his welcoming speech thanked the COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute(COMESA/LLPI) for all rounded support given to the Cluster cooperative that included, but not limited to, trainings, sponsoring participation in local and regional trade fairs and formulation of the current Five Year Strategy. The Chairman further added that the Strategy implementation will enable EIFCCOS to produce 12,500 pairs of shoes per day which will be further increased in the subsequent years.
Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI, in his opening address gave some statistical figures that clearly showed the potential of the sector and the market opportunity for the Cluster cooperative in Ethiopia and in the COMESA region in general. He thanked the Government of Ethiopia in general and the Ministry of Industry in particular and all governmental and nongovernmental organizations for the collaborations and excellent working relationships in the leather sector in Ethiopia. He also reiterated the continued support of the Institute to make the Cluster Cooperative a model in the region.
The launching event was followed by a workshop held at the Ethiopian Management Institute on June 3, 2015 for unpacking and developing work plan for the implementation of the Medium Term Strategy. The unpacking process evolves the development of a responsibility matrix, which defines responsibility and accountability in the implementation of the Strategy. In addition a detailed time bound work plan was developed which would enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in the implementation of Strategy and also to be used as the basis of monitoring and evaluation. COMESA/LLPI will continue to support EIFCCOS in the implementation of the Strategy through fundraising. During the same meeting Prof. Mwinyihija announced the USD 25,000.00 support, which was availed to COMESA/LLPI by the PTA Bank to purchase tools and equipments to the Cluster. COMESA/LLPI will also continue to support the Cluster in entering the regional market.
