The Burundi Leather sector strategy 2015-2019 validation, launch and unpacking workshop was conducted at Royal Palace Hotel, Bujumbura, from April 21 to 24, 2015. The strategy was developed under the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Post and Tourism in collaboration with COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute.
His Excellency Mr. Vitalis NTEZIRYAYO, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Post and Tourism attended both the strategy validation and launch events. The total number of participants of the three events (validation, launch and unpacking) was over 80.
Mr. NTEZIRYAYO in his speech thanked COMESA/LLPI for all the technical and financial support for the development of the Strategy, acknowledged the great potential of the leather sector and reiterated the government’s committed for the implementation of the Strategy and collaboration with private sector.
The Strategic Plan has prioritized on four key priority Objectives (further broken in to sub-objectives) for implementation, namely: (i) To facilitate increased production of quality hides and skins for improved contribution of the sector to national development goals; (ii) To Capacitate SMEs/Cottage industries for higher end value addition and competiveness in domestic, regional and international markets; (iii) To promote quality and cleaner environmental sustainable production techniques and systems and (iv) To facilitate horizontal and vertical collaboration of chain players and other relevant stakeholders.
The full implementation of the strategy will facilitate the transformation of the lives of many Burundians and will contribute towards poverty reduction as envisaged by the Government.
