Ethiopian Review

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia –The increasing demand for leather and leather products in the global market will make the leather industry remain as one of the most attractive business within Africa, Commissioner of Rural Economy and Agriculture of AU Commission said.

Opening the Regional Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern African (CFC-COMESA) collection dissemination workshop on leather products designs here in Addis, Commissioner Tumusiime Rhoda Peace, said that the industry has tremendous potential for national and foreign exchange earnings and, moreover, has the capacity to attract profitable foreign investments.

The commissioner also said that the leather sub-sector has a long supply chain that covers from the livestock production to marketing of various products and encompasses a comprehensive set of activities that are required in the leather products industry.

According to the Commissioner, the formal global leather trade is estimated at over one billion USD. “Africa which possesses more than 21 percent of the world’s livestock, produces only about 15 per cent of world output of hides and skins,” she added.

She also said that the major purpose of the workshop is to re-examine the issue of the consortium of the COMESA member countries and marketability of the collection of various leather goods, garments and footwear products.

She also expressed the commitment of the AU commission to provide the necessary and all-rounded support and initiatives towards the betterment of the quality of the products made in Africa.

- WIC