Zambia Leather Value Chain Strategy, which was formulated by COMESA/LLPI in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Zambia, was Validated, Launched and Unpacked during 7th - 10th December 2015 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The Leather Value Chain Strategy of Zambia was presented and discussed at the workshop held at the Anina’s Lodge, Chilanga, outskirt of Lusaka, on 7th and 8th December 2015. The Strategy Launch and Unpacking program took place on 9th and 10th December 2015, at the Government Complex Hall, Lusaka.
The validation Workshop was made by Mr. Tobias Mulimbika on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Zambia. Mr. Zewdu Kebede, Programs Coordinator, on behalf of the Executive Director, made a statement and climate setting address.
The Launch and Unpacking Workshop was officially opened by welcoming address and opening remarks given by Mrs. Kayula Siame, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry of Zambia.
Professor Mwinyihija, LLPI Executive Director, on behalf of the COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute also made a statement during the launch and unpacking workshop that took place at the Government Complex Conference Hall.
The validation process, launching and unpacking workshops involved participants representing concerned government Ministries, Authorities, Research Institutions, and Training Centers, SMEs representatives and support agencies and Experts Team from COMESA/LLPI. The Workshop drew participants from the various segments of the value chain, from city and peri-urban areas of Lusaka and, other districts of Zambia. The Workshop assisted in generating, moderating, collating and prioritizing of important issues.
There were a total of 35 participants drawn from Government, Private Sector and Civil Society/Academia. This is in line with the COMESA/LLPI thrust of employing the Triple Helix approach in improving the performance of the leather value chain in the COMESA region. In addition, the drawing of Stakeholders from across the value chain and the country was aimed at generating a national and balanced view of the issues currently impacting the performance of the leather value chain.
Dr. Tadesse H.Mamo, Training, Consultancy and Extension Expert presented a paper entitled:” The Leather Value Chain Strategy: An Overview “ which included the introduction and assessment results of the Zambian Draft Leather Value Strategy and some current regional and global issues in terms of the leather sector.
Mr. Nicholas Mudungwe, as Tem Leader of the Mission, led the whole process of the Validation/Unpacking workshops and presented the Draft Strategy Validation Process and feedback, the Unpacking Methodology, Dummy Strategy Implementation Pyramid. After each presentation, thorough discussions were made on each presentation by the Working Groups on the customizing the implementation Pyramid in line with the situation in Zambia.
All participants during the Workshop made contributions, through the use of Meta cards, which were then collated and prioritized through a participatory process. The Workshop participants validated and also prioritized burning issues, and agreed the strategic interventions.
To implement the Leather Value Chain Strategy, a strong Core Team (7 people) composed of Public, Private and Academia was organized and Terms of References was crafted.
At the end of the Workshop (December 11, 2015) Professor Mwinyihija and his Team paid a courtesy call to H.E Mrs. Margret Mwanakatwe, MP, Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry’s office. During the brief meeting, Professor Mwinyihija handed over the Final Document of the Zambia Leathers Value Chain Strategy to the Minister.
The Minister showed high concern to the Leather Value Chain of Zambia and pledged to closely follow up the implementation process.
