Huge opportunities exists in Ethiopia and Egypt for the Indian leather industry, says a 19 member delegation led by industry body CII, which paid a five- day visit to these two counties.
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) along with All India Skin & Hides Tanners and Merchants Association (AISHTMA) and Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers & Exporters Association (IFLMEA) had organised an Indian leather industry delegation visit to Ethiopia and Egypt, CII said in a release.
"Their visit achieved new relationships to create stronger ties with industry of Ethiopia and Egypt," CII National Committee on Leather and Leather Products Chairman Habib Hussain said.
While Indian Ambassador in Ethiopia Gurmeet Singh said: "Ethiopia provides a huge opportunity to Indian Leather industry as it has good raw material and low labor costs. Indian industry needs to bring in the technology and capital."
The delegation called on Ethiopian Minister for Trade and Industry, Girma Birri and Ethiopian State Minister for Trade and Industry, Tedesse Haile and visited various tanneries in and around Addis Ababa and the Egyptian Leather association.
AISHTMA President M Rafeeque Ahmed said Indian competence could create new possibilities for individual companies for either setting up manufacturing facilities or joint ventures in Ethiopia and to increase sourcing of leather from Egypt.
While IFLMEA President Zackaria Sait said this visit would pave the way for new relationships between Indian industry and leather sector of Ethiopia and Egypt.
The delegation had members from companies in the leather sector including Farida Group, AV Thomas Group, K H Group, Orient Express, Tata International, R Y Gaitonde & Co and many others, the statement added.