One of the main proponents of the ‘Meet in Africa’ series has highlighted the opportunities for networking presented by the 2004 event,  which will be  held in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, October 6-9.  Speaking at the latest African Federation of Leather and Allied Industries (AFLAI) meeting, held in October, AFLAI president Mr Hachemi Cherif identified the main success of the series to date as being its contribution to the emergence of an informal ‘business network’ between African leather businesses.

This process would be advanced a stage further in Addis Ababa, Mr Cherif said,  allowing more scope for buyer/seller interaction, especially between African businesses.    “The  successes encountered at the previous meetings of Capetown, Casablanca and Tunis have made Meet in Africa an indispensible event for leather professionals,” Mr Cherif commented. “The consensus is that the concept has now found its way.”

As in previous years, the event will also provide a platform for high level discussion on the future of the African leather sector, while acting as a showcase for both African and international suppliers to the African leather sector. The event itinerary includes the annual general assembly of the African Federation of Leather and Allied Industries (AFLAI) while the exhibition will be aimed at demonstrating the advances being made by African producers in adding value to their products.
All sectors of the African leather trade and industry will be represented, as will international suppliers of chemicals, machinery, equipment, components,  accessories, semi-finished and finished leather. 

According Johanna de Paredes, ITC Meet in Africa co-ordinator, the fact that both the exhibition and the buyer/seller and partnership meetings will be held under one roof, at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) centre, should itself act as a spur to business. The 2004 event will also be notable for the active involvement of ETFLGMA, the newly-formed grouping of the three associations representing Ethiopia’s tanning, shoe and leather garment makers.

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