All African Leather Fair Opens

Addis Ababa June 08/2018 The 2018 All African Leather Fair, which is one of the largest intra-regional trade fairs in the leather sector in Sub-Saharan Africa, opened at the Millennium Hall today. Opening the fair, Ethiopian Leather Industry Association President Tatek Yirga said the forum provides a platform for both domestic and overseas companies involved in leather and leather products sellers and buyers, suppliers and others stakeholders in the sector. He added that the fair plays a pivotal role in paving the way for strengthening and developing markets between Africa and the rest of the world. Industry State Minister Bogale Feleke said the platform would facilitate the conversion of the enormous potential in the African leather sector to global business and forward plausible solutions to the challenges facing the sector. According to him, the future is bright for the sector and Ethiopia will benefit from its abundant potential since the country is one of the few countries in the world endowed with huge livestock population. Agro-Industries Technology Division Chief at UNIDO, Aurelia Patrizia Calabro said the UN organization has been supporting governments and other local institutions in eastern and southern Africa in the development of the leather industry value chain. The new initiative known as Leather Initiative for Sustainable Employment Creation (LISEC) supports the creation of a modern Leather District in the town of Modjo under the full financial support of European Union, she added. African Leather and Leather Product Institute Executive Director, Mwinyikione Mwinyihia said the fair is one of the largest intra-regional trade fairs in the leather sector in Sub-Saharan Africa and that continues to be recognized as the leading business platform for the international, regional and domestic leather industries. A participant from the Leather Industries of Uganda Ltd., Nelson Agaba Kassingye, said the fair will "promote our products and create market linkages with other countries." General Manager of the Chinese Kingkung Technology Group Ltd, Jason Nee said the fair will promote the market linkages between Ethiopia and Chinese investors in the area of leather and leather products. The fair will remain open for next two successive days.