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On July 13th in Addis Ababa celebrations were held for the accreditation of the laboratories of the Ethiopian Leather and Leather Products Technology Institute (LLPTI), as well as for the launch of a new initiative supported by the Italian Government to further promote the sector development.
On the Ethiopian side, H.E. Mr Tadesse Haile, State Minister for Industry, attended the event, while Italy was represented by H.E. the Ambassador of Italy in Ethiopia, Raffaele de Lutio, and by the Director of the Office for Development Cooperation, Giorgio Sparaci. UNIDO Representative and Director of the Regional Office, Dr David Tommy, participated on behalf of the implementing partner.
All parties involved emphasized the relevant role of the private sector in the development of the Country and, in particular, the leather industry potentialities. Joint partnership and collaboration among stakeholders – Ethiopian Government, donors’ community and implementing agencies – have been said crucial to facilitate the creation of conducive environment and to stimulate fair and effective competitiveness.
The accreditation of the LLPTI laboratories turns out as relevant outcome of the project ‘Assistance to the LLPTI’, financed by the Italian Development Cooperation (1.36 million Euros) and implemented by UNIDO with the aim of building the LLPTI capacities. Activities included LLPTI reorganization, professional trainings for the staff, start-up of laboratories for quality analysis and completion of the procedures for international accreditation.
Achievements attained and potentialities for further growth of the sector embody the new ‘Technical Assistance Project for the Up-Grading of the Ethiopian Leather and Leather Products Industry’, officially launched on today occasion. Through this 2.6 million Euros contribution to UNIDO, Italy is committed to facilitate exports and foreign direct investments in Ethiopia, to further stimulate competiveness and production capacity in the leather and leather products sector.
The main component of this two-year project includes provision of technical assistance to the tanning sector and to the footwear and other leather products industry. Furthermore, special attention will be paid to the development of the formal and informal micro and small scale enterprises and assistance will be provided to the Ministry of Trade and Industry for setting-up the new ‘Textile and Leather Industry Development Center’ (TLIDC). The LLPTI too will benefit from further support, with the objective of strengthening its offer of services to the local leather and leather products industry.
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