The training course in “Basic Footwear Designing and Finishing” to SMEs in Rwanda was officially opened on the 11th September 2017 by Madam Mukashyaka Germaine who is the Chairperson of Leather Value Chain Industry Platform. The Executive Director of COMESA Leather and Leather Products Institute (LLPI) Prof. Dr. Mwinyihija was represented in the event by Mr. Harrison Mungai who conveyed his greetings and thereafter highlighted LLPI Vision, Mission and the Institute’s Mandate.
In presence during the official opening ceremony were:
- Mr. Habumugisha Michel who is the President of Rwanda Association for Promotion of Leather and Leather Products (RAPROLEP);
- Dr. Osinniel, a representative of Ministry of Trade and Industry;
- Mr. Kagango Diogeune, Director of Masaka Business Incubation Centre;
- Two Footwear Training Experts from Kenya and Uganda contracted by LLPI.
The Leather Value Chain Industry Platform is supported by five (5) Associations/bodies namely:
- Slaughterhouses Association;
- Association of Hides and Skins Exporters;
- Cooperative of Hides and Skins Collectors;
- Tanneries;
- Rwanda Association for Promotion of Leather and Leather Products (RAPROLEP).
The training is organized by COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Workforce Development Authority (WDA)
The purpose of the training (which is on-going) is to enhance the productivity and quality footwear production through improving the knowhow, skills and attitude of SMEs in Designing and Finishing Footwear in Rwanda.
The ten (10) days practical training program run from 11th – 19th September, 2017 both days inclusive and has 70 participants of which 15 (21%) are women who are drawn from four (4) provinces (thirty (30) Districts) across the country under the umbrella of Rwanda Association for Promotion of Leather and Leather Products (RAPROLEP). Also among the 70 trainees 3 are People with Disability (PWD).