Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) has signed an agreement with Ministry of Trade & Industry (MoTI) & Ministry of Capacity Building (MoCB) – Ethiopia on 8th March 2010 for the technological upgradation and implementation of international benchmarking for the Footwear industries of Ethiopia.

The Leather sector of Ethiopia has a huge potential for export due to cheap labour and strong raw material base. Understanding the potential, the Govt. of Ethiopia has targeted to increase the export from this sector to US Dollar 500 millions within next five years which was US dollar 101 million in 2007-08. But, the current limitation of technical and technological competence especially in the Footwear & Leather Product sector is being realized as the major challenge towards the development and growth of the sector.

The Ethiopian Leather industry faces constraints due to outmoded equipment and machinery; lack of market information; low quality standards; and limited supply of raw materials. In order to overcome this, the Govt. of Ethiopia was seeking an agency/ consultant who can work in the industry to enhance the competitiveness at firm level through global benchmarking aimed towards higher export earning and global recognition of the products manufactured.

In this regard, a high level of delegation from FDDI, had visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 4th November 2009 to 7th November 2009 and had assessed the status of the Ethiopian Footwear & Leather Product Industries and the possibilities of increasing the manufacturing competitiveness at firm level. The delegation during their visit to the factories observed some critical gap areas which were intimated to the Govt. of Ethiopia that were hampering the growth and performance of the sector.

Understanding the capabilities of FDDI, the Ethiopian Govt. selected to have FDDI as the partner in the growth & development programme of the Ethiopian Footwear & Leather Product Sector. Exuberant with the development in this regard, Mr. Rajeev Lakhara, IRS, Managing Director, FDDI said “On the request of MoTI, Ethiopia, FDDI has proposed various interventions for seven Footwear industries of Addis Ababa such as Kangaroo Shoe Company PLC, Ras Dashen Shoe Factory, Anbessa Shoe SC, Peacock Shoes, Ramsay Shoe Factory, OK Jamaica Shoe Factory etc., for a period of 01 year, in the area of Production, Management, Design, Technology, Planning, Productivity, Quality etc, aimed towards enhancing the global competency at firm level.”

A high level of delegation from FDDI, consisting of Mr. B. S. Katiyar, Deputy Director and Ms. Satyam Srivastava, Consultant, under the Chairmanship of Secretary FDDI, Mr. Shashi Bhushan Shukla, IRS had visited Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for signing-up of the agreement. “It is a moment of pride and pleasure for FDDI having the opportunity to take up such a prestigious international project and leading 07 factories at a time at Addis Ababa. FDDI having a prolonged experience/expertise in the area of international level of Training & Consultancy is totally geared up to take up the project and we are sure that on the completion of the implementation plan the Industries of Addis Ababa will be capable enough to meet the international requirements and a make a mark in global arena,” added Mr. Lakhara.

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