Chinese and Italian investors see opportunity in Rwandan tanneries
Reports from Rwanda say the government will encourage people to buy locally made shoes by increasing the tax on imported second-hand shoes from 35% to 70% and then to 100% next summer.
Minister for Trade and Industry Francois Kanimba told local reporters the government is planning a footwear factory, tannery and leathergoods facility.
An investigation by the government, COMESA and the National Industrial Research and Development Agency, will assess skills levels over the next two months, with the aim of setting up a factory in partnership with leather industry associations, said reports.
"Last year, the value of leather exports was $14 million annually, but a recent study indicates that if we process and tan the skins and make leather products like shoes locally, the money can increase to $170 million," he said.
