The COMESA/LLPI Director initiated tree-planting event was organized on Friday April 19, 2013 to further enrich the green area of the Institute. The trees planted were native and some edible.

The third Tannery of the Year Awards programme has been held at a gala dinner in Hong Kong on March 25, and in this competition, the PrimeAsia China, based in Guangdong Province, emerged as the winner of the regional award for China, and later as the overall global Tannery of the Year.

COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute (COMESA-LLPI) participated in Leather Fair held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 25-27 march 2013. The Institute was represented by its Director Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija. The Fair was organized by Materials, Manufacturing & Technology (MM&T) and Fashion Access.

The COMESA – Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI), in collaboration with the UNCTAD Unit of Economic Cooperation and Integration among Developing Countries, is hosting UNCTAD’s Project on “Strengthening Regional Supply Chains in Leather Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa”, funded by the Commonwealth Secretariat.

The All Africa Leather Fair, has become an important annual event of the leather sector enterprises and stakeholders in the COMESA region. Annually both regional and international enterprises converge in Addis Ababa to show case the latest leather, footwear, leather goods and technology.

The 6th Core Team Meeting of the COMESA Leather Subsector was held at the Ambassador Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 23rd February 2013. The main objective of the meeting was to review past activities and the work plan for 2013.

The Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA), in cooperation with COMESA/LLPI and other sponsors, organized the 6th All-African Leather Fair (AALF) in Addis Ababa, from February 20-22, 2013.  The Trade Fair brought together tanners, footwear and other leather goods manufacturers, equipment and technology suppliers, chemical and inputs suppliers, manpower training institutions, trade promotion organizations, etc..from different parts of the globe. African companies and organizations constituted the largest attendance.

The Ethiopian Leather Industries Association (ELIA), in cooperation with COMESA/LLPI and other sponsors, is organizing the 6th All African Leather Fair (AALF) in Addis Ababa, from February 20-22, 2013.

Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija has been appointed as the Director of the COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute, with effect from 2nd of January 2013. Dr. Mwinyihija is taking over the role from the longtime Director of COMESA, Dr Geremew Debelie, who passed away on the 10th of September, 2011.