Ethiopian government officials and leather industry leaders have visited ASSOMAC, Italy’s tanning and footwear machinery association, to boost the African country’s footwear and leathergoods sectors.

The delegation from Addis Ababa, led by the Minister for Industry, are hoping to make contacts and gain know-how from the Italians as part of a ‘study tour’ organised by UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization

As well as visiting Vigevano’s footwear and machinery industry, the group will visit the leathergoods zone of Florence and the tanning and machinery zone in Santa Croce sull’Arno.

ASSOMAC president Giovanni Bagini said: “This gives us a unique opportunity to showcase the excellence of Italian enterprise in the leather footwear sector, particularly the footwear and machinery zone in Vigevano. In recent years, the Ethiopian tanning, footwear and leathergoods industry has advanced in leaps and bounds, leading to increased exports of Italian machinery to this African country. “

ASSOMAC members exported €2.5 million worth of machinery to Ethiopia last year.