Maseru, July 23 — The Southern African Development Community (SADC), with support from the German Government, is hosting the first-ever SADC Regional Leather Forum in Bulawayo, Republic of Zimbabwe, a milestone initiative aimed at strengthening industrialisation and regional trade in the leather value chain.
The Forum brings together over 50 influential stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, development partners and private sector actors with a shared goal, to unlock the region’s leather potential through cooperation, innovation and inclusive growth.
Mr. Calicious Tutalife, Senior Programme Officer, Value Chains at the SADC Secretariat, underscored the strategic importance of the Forum and encouraged Member States to actively participate in the deliberations, noting that their engagement is key to advancing the leather industry and enhancing its role in regional industrialisation.
Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Mary Chingonzoh, Acting Director in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Republic of Zimbabwe, emphasized that the Forum seeks to establish a dynamic and collaborative platform to facilitate policy and regulatory harmonisation across the region. Critically assess the implementation progress of the SADC Leather Regional Model Policy Framework and Promote innovation, attract vital investment and enable seamless cross-border trade in the leather sector.
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