Leather body signs pact with E African countries

These activities are supported under the framework of Supporting Indian Trade and Investment for Africa (SITA) a South-South Aid-for-Trade Project implemented by ITC (20152020), and funded by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID). 

The MOUs signed between AISHTMA and TAK (Tanners Association of Kenya) and ULAIA (Uganda Leather and Allied Industries Association) will focus on areas such as trade information exchange (market trends, prices, regulations etc.); trade and investment promotion through regular exchange of delegations. 

Sharing of best practices and joint development of services for the leather industry are also on the agenda. Developing a policy framework to strengthen the leather industry; supporting and coordinating activities related to production of quality hides and skins; and the manufacture of leather and increased value addition on hides and skins for domestic and export markets are the other areas of focus. The association hopes that AISHTMAs best practises will be shared with and adapted to fraternal institutions outside of India to ensure the sustainable development of leather sector support institutions across geographies. 

It expects its capacities in enabling business environments and trade policy formulation will be shared with institutions resulting in sustainable capacities built across the south. Increased enterprise-and-sector-level competitiveness is also on the agenda of the association. The agency celebrates its centenary on March 9 this year. The leather industry brings in US$ 7 bn in forex which is almost 8 pc of the total forex earned.