The main objective of the mission was to: --
- Collect data (gather information) to enable the development of business plans for Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST) leather incubator, National Leather Technology Center (NLTC) and Kerari Vocational Training Center,
- Present draft report on hides and skins traceability study,
- Hold strategy review workshop on Sudan’s leather value chain strategy.
The ED and his entourage made courtesy call to H.E Dr. Abdo Daoud – State Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry where he briefed the Minister on the Sudanese leather value chain strategy and the important of creating conducive policies to access affordable credit to SMEs and to attract investors to invest in the sector.
The ED also highlighted the need of centralized tannery wastes treatment designated next to clustering and support industries.
During his busy schedule, the ED also met with H.E the Minister of Investment and Industry – Khartoum State. The Minister briefed him on the functionality of Khartoum state leather council which is bearing fruits in supporting the federal council and what is remaining is to create awareness to stakeholders.
He also pointed out that Khartoum State slaughterhouse had been refurbished and five more modern slaughterhouses will be ready before the end of the year. During his field visit program, which took him to North Kordofan- which is considered as one of the largest state in the production of livestock in Sudan. There, ED and his team was received by His Excellency, the Commissioner of Investment and Industry who gave them an overview of leather sector in North Kordofan.
On part, the ED informed the Governor that ALLPI will assist the Commission of Investment and industry train 50 SMEs in footwear and leather goods production in collaboration with SUST leather incubator and Kerari Vocational Training Centre and thereafter 12 of the trained trainees will be selected for advance training so that they could be the Training of Trainers (ToT).
After that, the following took place: -
- Signing of two MoUs one with the Investment and Industry Commission and the one with Kordofan University respectively,
- Touring of the following areas: -
- local traditional shoe market,
- livestock market,
- some hide and skin collection agencies,
- the site for the proposed slaughterhouse
- free zone and the crops market in Alobied.
The team also made a tour to SUST leather incubator center, NLTC and Kerari Vocation and training center where ED disclosed that ALLPI is ready to assist the Government of Sudan in upgrading the center and starts offering Diploma within the next three years.
The team also presented the draft report on hides and skins traceability study in Sudan which was conducted by ALLPI before the winding up of their mission by conducting a two-day stakeholders’ workshop on leather value chain strategy review.
During the tour, the ED was accompanied by Eng. Elsunni Hamid Ibrahim – Director of Sudan University for Science and Technology Leather Incubator Mr. Nasir who is ALLPI Cluster Development and Management Expert.