The first Training Workshop under the project entitled “Structured Design Training for Regional Leather and Leather Products SMEs in Leather Products Design, Craftsmanship and Export” was held from 19 to 21 July 2017 in Kampala, Uganda. This Training workshop was organized by COMESA/LLPI in collaboration with the USAID - East African Trade and Investment Hub (EATIH). Over 20 participants attended the Training Workshop, who came from 11 countries of the region, namely Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The objectives of the workshop were to enhance the Focal Points’ appreciation of the scope of the Eastern Africa Hub project and its relationship with the Reginal Designers’ Studio; to capacitate Focal Points to apply the SMEs Selection Criteria and the administration of the Profiling Instrument; to enhance the Focal Point technical capacity to evaluate samples of leather footwear and products; and to identify and prioritize specific activities in the implementation of the Regional Designers Studio Project.
The Training Workshop was officially opened by the Executive Director of COMESA/LLPI. Prof. M. Mwinyihija and Director, Investment, East Africa Trade and Investment Hub, Mrs. Kanini Mutooni.
Presentations were delivered on the objectives and scope of the Hub Project and the Regional Designers Studio and the Selection Criteria and Profiling Instruments by Mr. Nicolas Mudungwe, Programs Coordinator, COMESA/LLPI.
Technical presentations on the Defects Identification Methodology were made on Leather Footwear and Leather Goods, respectively. by Mr. Feraw Kebede and Mr. Moses Mwangi who are renown experts in the Region.
Participants in Group works conducted Practical Evaluation of samples based on the Defect Analysis Methodology and this was further discussed in Plenary sessions.
The Training Workshop was concluded with the identification of priority interventions that should be implemented under the Flagship Regional Designers Studio Program; agreeing to initiate and implement activities virtually in the short to medium term and by allocation of tasks and timelines for the identified broad activities.
The Training Workshop Evaluation summary provided an account of participants’ views on various aspects of the Training Workshop. Overall, the Training Workshop was rated as good or excellent by all (100%) of the participants.
