Team formed to revamp leather sector
04/11/2010
The new Leather Development Council (LDC) will spearhead reforms with the aim of increasing three-fold the value of the local leather industry, which was around $55 million in 2008.
“The leather industry has high potential for growth through the expansion of export and domestic markets for both semi-processed and finished products,” said livestock development minister, Dr Mohammed Kuti, on announcing the LDC.
In June, the government announced funding of around $2 million for the construction of seven small tanneries in rural areas. Community groups or rural-based enterprises will have the first option to manage the tanneries, but they will have to commit themselves to working with the LDC to add as much value to locally collected hides and skins as possible.
According to the new organisation’s chief executive, Mwinyikione Mwinyihija, there are 2,790 registered hides and skins traders in the country, 12 operating tanneries, 1,500 registered slaughterhouses, and 16 exporters.
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