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 COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute’s Management Team, led by the Institute’s Executive Director, Prof. Mwinyihija Mwinyikione, and composed of the Programs Coordinator, Mr. Zewdu Kebede, the Administration, Budget and Finance Head, Ms Tigist Hailegiorgis, and the Leather Value Chain Expert and Personal Assistant to the Executive Director, Prof. Mekonnen Hailemariam, attended the 35th Policy Organs Meetings held from December 1 to December 8, 2015 at COMESA Secretariat and Taj Pamodzi Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia. The Policy Organs Meetings started with the Committee on Administrative and Budget matters Meeting that took place from 1- 2 December 2015, followed by the COMESA Intergovernmental Committee Meeting from 3-5 December, 2015 and finally by the 35th COMESA Council of Ministers Meeting held from 7-8 December 2015.
The 3rd Regional Stakeholders Consultative Meeting & COMESA/LLPI 25th Year Anniversary Celebration was Held on 20th - 21st November 2015 at Haile Resort Hotel, Ziway, Ethiopia.
COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute (COMESA/LLPI) and Commonwealth Secretariat (COMSec) jointly organized private sector workshop on the establishment of a Regional Design Studio for leather footwear and leather goods was held at Chez Lando Hotel, Kigali, Rwanda from November 10 to 11, 2015.
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.
The USAID East Africa Trade and Investment Hub Team comprising of Mrs.Kanini Mutoni and Mr. Fred Kongongo paid visit to COMESA/LLPI on 23rd October 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In 2014, the Department of Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission (AUC) decided to hold annually two Strategic Stakeholders Retreats in order to maintain constant link with its partners. Thus, a first Retreat was organized in February 2014 in Midrand (South Africa) followed in September 2014, by a second one in Nairobi (Kenya). The two activities were targeting the improvement of information flows between AUC and its partners. The main objective is to ensure better coordination among these partners and enhance the implementation of the continental industrialization strategies such as the Plan of Action for the Accelerated Industrial Development for Africa (AIDA), the Action Plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade (BIAT)/Productive Capacities Pillar, the African Agri-Business and Agro-Industries Development Initiative (3ADI) and the Africa Mining Vision (AMV). There is a need to continue the momentum.
By the official invitation of IGAD/Center for Pastoral Areas and Livelihoods Development (ICPALD) to COMESA/LLPI and by the instruction of the Executive Director of the COMESA/LLPI, the Rapporteur of this Mission Report attended the two day Workshop ,conducted in Naivasha (120 kms. west of Nairobi), Kenya, at Elementaita Country Lodge from 7th to 8th October 2015.
