The COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute’s Experts Team, led by the Institute’s Executive Director, Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, and composed of the Institute’s Leather Value Chain Expert and two consultants from UV Enterprises from Chennai, India was on Mission to Sudan from 23 to 29 August 2016. The purpose of the Mission was to design and complete the necessary drawings for the construction of a Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for the Leather City in ElGaily Industrial Area, Khartoum, and to discuss with the officials and concerned stakeholders on the best way forward for the Sudan Leather Value Chain Strategy.

The Expert Team conducted a need assessment survey for the CETP design by visiting the site and meeting with the various stakeholders from August 24 to 27, 2016. The Team was also received by the Honorable Ministers of  the Ministry of Industry & Investment, Ministry of Human Development & Labour, Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources & Irrigation,  and Ministry of Trade to discuss on the best way forward for the Sudan Leather Value Chain Strategy implementation. Kerari Vocational Training Center, Sudan University of Sciences and Technology, SSMO, Ministry of Environment, Khartoum State Sanitary Corporation and National Leather Technology Center were among institutions the Team visited, in line with both the CETP design and Sudan Leather Value Chain Strategy Implementation.

The Experts Team generated the necessary data for the design, process and engineering drawings, capacity planning and detailed cost estimate for the CETP Project. The newly established Sudan Leather Council also held its first inaugural meeting during the Mission period. Other major accomplishments of the Mission encompassed: possibility of extending SME training at Kerari Vocational Training Center for other States in Sudan; the Private Sector link into the Kerari Vocational Training Center Advisory Board; potential of advancing training in leather technology into Levels II & III, based on the approved curriculum; operationalization of the Sudan Leather Development Council; the Implementation of RISM Project in the areas of capacity building of SMEs; strengthening of Kerari Vocational Training Center to become a Satellite Design Studio of the COMSec-LLPI Regional Design Studio; implementation of Traceability to strengthen the Sudan  Leather Value Chain Strategy; tools and equipment support to Kerari and Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST)- Technological Leather Industry Incubator;  mainstreaming of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources & Irrigation Agriculture into the implementation of the National Leather Value Chain Strategy; and many more such achievements.

Mrs. Kanini Mutooni, Director – Investment, East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (EATIH) made a courtesy visit to COMESA/LLPI on August 17, 2016. She was warmly welcomed by Prof. Mwinyihija Mwinyikione, Executive Director of COMES/LLPI and the Institute’s Expert Team. The visit was part of the operationalization of the MoU signed between the two Institutions (EATIH and COMESA/LLPI). The two parties (Mrs. Mutooni and COMESA/LLPI Team) made fruitful discussions to fast-track collaborative activities between the two institutions. Mrs. Mutooni took cognizance of LLPI’s excellent performance in the region and commended the Institute in its successful engagement with the various member States in the development of leather sector and this was pertinent in EATIH drive to partner with LLPI in progressing important social economic indicators to the next phase.

The Regional Design Studio Project which was initiated by COMESA/LLPI in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat was considered as a potential area where support from EATIH will considerably contribute towards enhanced leather sector development in the East African Community countries.

Mrs Mutooni indicated potential opportunities in skills development of SMEs, strengthening of ICT facilities and furtherance of trade that could be availed for relevant institutions to bid competitively. Fundamental areas of agreement between the two institutions is to enhance wealth creation, poverty alleviation, improve gender parity and stimulate rural development to improve the quality of life in the Eastern part of Africa.

Ethiopia globally is placed number ten in terms of livestock endowment, hence position her as a potential global leader in the production of leather and leather products. The winds of industrialization are blowing towards Africa, as China moves notches up to the technology based economy. Ethiopia is well endowed with livestock, which is a foundation of developing the Leather Sector, once the necessary technical, economic, human and infrastructure resources are put in place. Ethiopia had 53.4 million cattle, 25.5 million sheep and 22.7 million goats (CSA, 2011). The livestock population increased to 56.7 million, 29.3 million and 29.1 million for cattle, sheep and goods respectively. (CSA, 2014/15).

The Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA) in collaboration with COMESA - Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI) organized a one day workshop to formulate ELIA's Strategy on 21st July 2016 at Monarch Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Participants were drawn from different public and private sectors of the leather and allied industries.

The Workshop was officially opened by Mr. Wondu Legesse, Director General of Ethiopia Leather Industry Development Institute (LIDI). Mr. Wondu, in his remark, stressed that the Association should strengthen itself to address the challenges of its members. In East Asian countries, Associations are strong enough to mobilize resources and achieve national economic objectives, he added; and ELIA should bench mark such associations to develop the Ethiopia leather sector.

Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, made a climate setting remark iterating the importance of the leather sector for the development of the country in terms of employment and wealth creation.

Participants thoroughly discussed in groups the challenges of the Ethiopian leather sector in general and ELIA in particular. The workshop gave due attention about the importance of the All African Leather Fair (AALF) which actually has very good impact on the leather sector in terms of creating market linkages and experience sharing.

In general, the Workshop had given an opportunity to identify the major challenges and possible intervention areas regarding the leather sector in Ethiopia and the Association it self.

The Swaziland Leather Value Chain Strategy validation and unpacking workshop, the Cluster Management Development Training and discussion on Vocational and Diploma level draft Curricula that were conducted at Ewezulini, Kingdom of Swaziland from June 27, 20016 to July 1, 2016 were successfully completed.

All the above indicated activities were facilitated by COMESA- Leather and Leather Products Institute(COMESA/LLPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry of the Kingdom of the Swaziland.

More than 70 participants drawn from different public and private institutions and enterprises as well as NGOs actively and fully participated in the activities. Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, Cluster Expert and Regional Strategy Coordinator and Prof. Mekonnen Hailemariam Leather Value Chain Expert and Personal Assistant to the Executive Director, both from COMESA/LLPI facilitated the workshop and gave the cluster Management development training.

Participants were given certificate of attendance at the end of the training program.

COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute (COMESA/LLPI) participated in the India's Trade Symposium "Linking LDCs into India's Global Value Chains and Launching of India's Commonwealth SME Association" that was held on 29th - 30th June 2016 in Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi, India.

COMESA/LLPI was represented by Mr. Awlachew Sintie, Information System Expert, and Mr. Yasin Awale & Mrs. Nalina Rupani representing Member States and the private sector in the leather industry respectively.