The COMESA/LLPI Facilitated Business to Business Meeting for the leather sector enterprises was held from June 17th to 18th , at LLPI head office Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting participants were from Turkey (United chemicals, Ege University and Sografsil), Uganda (Elgon Leather), Burnudi (Afritan Tannery), Sudan (Sultan International) and Zimbabwe (Global Tanneries).
The Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI, Prof. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija at his welcoming and opening address of this first ever Business to Business (B2B) meeting in leather sector, pointed out that improving ties between the Africa’s massive potential in leather sector and the Turkish advanced technology in the same, will have great importance in benefiting both parties and in enhancing trade and investment in leather sector through well defined phases of technology transfer and capacity building.
The first day of the two days discussions, was consecrated for presentations on challenges experienced in processing of Leather in Africa, Markets and Market entries in Africa, Current Technologies in Beam house, Tanning and Post tanning operations and the aspirations of United Chemicals in the world Leather Industries with special focus on Asia and Africa that were discussed at length. The second day was dedicated to exchanging information and planning on how to strategize Business Linkages in leather sector between Turkey and the COMESA region.
The two days meeting was very fruitful to the extent that each party has taken assignment to further the agenda. And it was agreed to meet again after 6 weeks in Harare, Zimbabwe to assess the results of assigned activities of each party and to strategize and concretize Business Linkage between Turkey and COMESA-LLPI member States leather sector enterprises.
Finally, participants presented their special thanks to COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute for organizing such an Exemplary and fruitful meeting and for the excellent hospitality extended to the participants with most of the COMESA based entrepreneurs expressing optimism on the leather trade for African products at the global level sooner than later.