The Strategy was developed under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, in collaboration with the COMESA/Leather and Leather Products Institute (COMESA/LLPI). Key stakeholders working in the entire value chain participated in the Strategy, formulation process. The Validation, Launch and Unpacking Workshop of the strategy was held at Sportsview Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda from November 25 to 27 2015.
The workshop was attended by 35 participants drawn from the MINICOM, line ministries, different public sector institutions, representatives from the private sector along the value chain (slaughter house, hides and skins traders/exporters, leather footwear and leather goods manufacturers) and a team of Experts from COMESA-Leather and Leather products Institute (COMESA/LLPI). The workshop was opened by the welcome address and opening statements of Mr. Alex Ruzibukira, Director General Industry (MINICOM) and Mr. Zewdu Kebede, Programs Coordinator (COMESA/LLPI). Both speakers pointed out the importance attributed to the leather sector by the Government of Rwanda in its development agenda and the expectations from the workshop.
Participants made thorough discussion on the draft Strategy and unanimously validated the key priorities for the strategy that are Improving the quality and collection of hides and skins; Supporting the development and growth of SMEs who are involved in the production leather footwear and goods; Setting up of an Industrial Park for the Leather Sector; and Improving Institutional policy, financial support and market intelligence. With value addition to Leather Footwear/goods level it was estimated that the Rwandese leather sector, from its current performance of 14 million USD income, could attain a value of US$ 170 million.
The COMESA/LLPI Expert Team led by the Institute’s Programs Coordinator, Mr. Zewdu Kebede paid courtesy visit to H.E. Mr. Francois Kanimba, Minister of Trade and Industry, on November 27, 2015 and briefed the Honorable Minister on the workshop objectives and outputs. The team also took the opportunity to discuss with the Honorable Minister on various issues with regard to the implementation of the strategy.
