Stakeholders' workshop to define implementation support areas for value addition in the leather sector in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania was held on 4th – 5th November, 2015 in Hilton Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
Supporting Indian Trade and Investment for Africa (SITA) Project being implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) is a South-South trade and Investment Project covering countries: India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. The leather component of ITC-SITA project is being implemented in collaboration with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa - Leather and Leather Products Institute (COMESA/LLPI).
The major objective of the workshop was to define implementation support for selected tanners in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda; and to validate the preliminary results of Rapid Tannery Assessment Report made during August - September 2015 in the three countries.
The Workshop was officially opened by a speech of Mr. Sindiso Ngwenya, the Secretary General of COMESA, which was actually read by his representative Prof. Mwinyihija, Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI.
Various presentations were forwarded and discussed by participants. Some of the presentations are as listed below:
| Africa’s Renaissance and Potential in the Leather Sector with Reflection to the Global Performance |
Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI); |
|
Rapid Tannery Assessment Outputs and performance gap analysis and issues; |
Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe(COMESA/LLPI) and Mr. Hernan Manson (ITC) |
|
Market Trends, options and product development possibilities |
Simone Cipriani (ITC), Mimi Plange (MIMI PLANGE), Fashion designer, New York |
|
Impact Assessment Methodologies and Baseline: RISE |
Lisa Barratt (ITC) |
|
Trade Intelligence Systems and Services |
Mr. Bastian Bill (ITC) |
During the workshop, preliminary results based on key parameters like Management Capability, Overall Operations and Processing, Factory Premises, Raw Material Control, Workers Safety and Welfare, Environmental Impact, Quality Assurance and Testing and Gender Diversity have been presented per country basis and thoroughly discussed. The assessment results of individual tanneries are to be discussed with operators of the respective tanneries. Finally, support areas were identified in consultation with tannery operators and the next intervention will start very soon!
Workshop participants were drawn from public and private sectors of Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda; and COMESA/LLPI and ITC. A Fashion Designer called Mimi Plange from New York also attended the workshop.
