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In focus:

The EAC Leather Strategy

At the East Africa Textile and Leather Week, ITC through EU-EAC MARKUP II also organized a round table meeting to examine the progress of implementing the EAC Leather and Leather Products Strategy in each country and explore options to enhance coordination at both national and regional levels.

Despite the potential, the EAC leather industry faces significant hurdles. Export volumes from the region remain limited, and the industry is currently experiencing a slowdown. However, discussions at EATLW emphasized that the opportunities for growth lie in leveraging regional collaborations, investing in technology and innovation, and enhancing value addition jointly.

Several key areas were identified as critical for the sector’s advancement:

  • Quality and quantity issues:
    Developing and enforcing common quality standards and grading systems for raw hides and skins is essential. Harmonized grading can lead to price premiums and improve marketability.
  • Modernization and technology:
    Modernizing existing facilities with advanced technology and waste management systems will increase efficiency and sustainability. This includes encouraging regional and cross-border investments in tanneries and processing capacity.
  • Industrial hubs and clusters:
    Developing industrial leather hubs and clusters can enhance the industry’s infrastructure and foster innovation. This restructuring aims to reduce fragmentation and improve linkages among stakeholders.
  • Eliminating trade barriers:
    Based on the EAC common market protocol, eliminating non-tariff barriers that hinder trade, including various levies, will streamline processes and encourage intra-regional trade.

The event facilitated discussions on regional opportunities, emphasizing the benefits of intra-regional cooperation and trade. The strategic framework outlined in the EAC leather strategy served as a foundation for these discussions, highlighting the potential benefits of harmonized efforts.

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