Press Release
March 16 and 17 2015, Khartoum, Sudan
- The Leather Value Chain Launch Event.
Following the signing of the Leather Value Chain Strategy (LVCS) Document by H.E Dr. Yahiya Mukwar, Minister of Human Development and Labor of the Khartoum State,on behalf of the Minister of Trade of the Sudan Republic, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the 23rd of February 2015, the Launching event took place in Khartoum, Sudan on the 16th March 2015.
During the two events the COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute Mission, led by the Executive Director, Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, attended and facilitated the Events as key partner with the Sudanese Coordinating Team.
The event was held at the Police House and following the welcome address by the Private Sector Representative, key note addresses were made by Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, Executive Director of COMESA-LLPI, H.E Dr. Yahiya Mukwar, Minister of Human Development and Labor of the Khartoum State, H.E Eng. Abdella Ahmed Hamad, Minister of Industry and Investment of the Khartoum State respectively.
The vote of thanks was made by Professor Hashim Ali Salim, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Sudan University of Science and Technology and following his speech, H.E Mr. Osman Omer Ali Elsharif, Minister of Trade of the Sudan Republic made the official Statement on behalf of the Government of Sudan and announced the opening of the Leather Value Chain Strategy Launch Event.
The event was attended by more than 50 participants/leather value Chain players from various Ministries, Universities, Technology Centers, Agencies, Small, Medium and Large leather and leather products manufacturing enterprises, etc.
- The Leather Value Chain Strategy Unpacking Workshop
As part and parcel of the Launch Event, the Unpacking Workshop took place at the same venue on the 17th 0f March 2015.
The workshop plenary session covered the Short Introductory and Briefing on the Strategy Document by Engineer Suliman Mohamed,representing the Sudan Chamber.
Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, Executive Director of COMESA-LLPI presented a paper entitled: “The Role of Sudan’s Leather Sector Towards Its Economic Performance: A Pre and Potential Post- Launch Preview”. Following his presentation, Dr. Tadesse H. Mamo and Prof. Mekonnen Hailemariam made briefing on “The Leather Value Chain Strategy Formulation and its Unpacking Methodology “ and “The Unpacking Strategy Methodology, Responsibility, Accountability and M& E Matrix” respectively.
The 6 Strategic Issues consolidated in main document, were thoroughly discussed and 6 Working Groups proposed workable Medium Term
Methodology Matrix and the way forward.
Before the end of the Unpacking Workshop, handing over of the Leather Value Chain Strategy Document took place, and the Workshop was officially closed by the blessing H.E Dr. Yahiya Mukwar, Minister of Human Development and Labor of the Khartoum State and H.E. Engineer Sedik Mohamed Ali Sheik, Deputy Governor of the Khartoum State.
The COMESA-LLPI mission during its stay in Khartoum made visits to the National Leather Training Center (NLTC), the Leather Incubation Center of the Sudan University of Science and Technology, the Kerari Vocational Training and Entrepreneur Center. The discussion majorly focused on various bilateral and outstanding issues. The COMESA-LLPI Mission members conducted a very fruitful and the way forward wrap up meeting that took on the 18th March 2015 with Excellencies Eng. Abdella Ahmed Hamad and Dr Yhiya Mukwar.