ESALIA looks to the future
The Eastern and Southern Africa Leather Association (ESALIA) has made a series of recommendations aimed at reversing the declining fortunes of its members. During a recent workshop held in the Kenyan capital of
To turn the situation round, it was recommended that a ban should be imposed on the export of hides outside the region, and that the existing ban on intra-regional hide exports should be lifted, to be replaced by a series of duties that would foster development its stronger member nations while protecting the interests of those producing fewer hides. Stronger Customs actions against smuggling and tougher sentences for smugglers were also seen as being advantageous.
Other recommendations included a Code of Conduct and greater industry representation at a government level. It was agreed further that ESALIA should draw up benchmarks for the quality of finished leather goods and footwear, in conjunction with the bureau of standards of each member country, while strategies should be worked out to monitor the problem of dumping. A greater sharing of information between ESALIA member countries was also seen as being a priority. Delegates from
