Latest news with #leatherindustry


Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: El-Wazir announces offering 36 factories to investors at Robbiki Leather City
Arab Finance: Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport Kamel El-Wazir announced the launch of the second offering of industrial factories at Robbiki Leather City. This comes within the third phase, which comprises 36 fully equipped factories for finished leather products. The offering will be available on Egypt's Digital Industrial Platform from July 5th to 27th. This initiative follows the success of the first offering, which was launched last December and resulted in the allocation of all offered factories with a coverage rate exceeding 100%. Implemented under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the new offering aims to strengthen local industry and stimulate industrial investment, especially in key sectors with high added value, such as the leather industry. The 36 ready-to-operate factories span areas ranging from 121 to 2,000 square meters (sqm) to meet the investors' various demands. In this regard, six factories (2,000 sqm), 10 factories (1,000 sqm), and 20 industrial workshops (121 sqm) will be channeled through Cairo Company for Investment and Development (CID). El-Wazir noted that these factories serve varied production capacities, adding that multiple units can be merged for expansion-focused investors, ensuring smooth management. He also affirmed the ministry's commitment to supporting serious investors and bolstering a flexible, stable production environment within the Robbiki Leather City. The new offering, available under both instalment sale and operational rent systems, has unprecedented facilitations, including an integrated package of financing solutions secured with the Export Development Bank of Egypt (EBank). This facility covers machinery, working capital, technical support, and export assistance. Moreover, investors at the Robbiki Leather City will receive additional incentives, most notably an additional 50% of export burden refunds, to evolve global competitiveness. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Human rights abuse documented in global leather supply chain
This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. A new report by the Fair Labor Association and human rights consultancy firm Impactt found human rights abuse at every stage of the global leather supply chain, including child labor, exposure to chemicals, compensation issues and discrimination. The six-month study, which was conducted last year and included a survey of 19 industry stakeholders, identified problem areas and made recommendations on how companies at all levels of the leather processing industry can foster traceability and improve conditions for workers. Based on the findings, the report's authors suggest companies invest in their own traceability solutions, engage with third-party organizations on certifications and assessments, collaborate on solving existing issues, and have an exit strategy when it comes to countries at high risk of geopolitical differences. While leather is often considered a by-product of the meat industry, the FLA report said leather's use continues to grow in the apparel, accessories and footwear sectors. In 2022, the global leather industry was valued at $243 billion, and it's expected to grow at a rate of 6.6% from 2023 to 2030. The study tracked abuse in the meatpacking and leather by-product industries globally, and found a number of countries were using child labor in the production of leather goods and accessories, including Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, India and Mexico. An additional 15 countries were cited for using child labor, forced labor, or both, to produce bovine or cattle, the main source of leather hides. Report authors created the survey to present an overview of the leather industry in Brazil, and included profiles of both the global leather industry and the leather industry specific to Brazil, in order to determine hot spot problem areas. Authors studied more than 100 research papers, articles, opinion pieces, media reports and other documents to compile results. The study and its findings are meant to establish dialogue between the meatpacking and leather apparel industry, and urge the various stakeholders to conform to global standards as a way to improve worker conditions. 'This report brings much-needed attention to the parts of the leather supply chain where risks to workers are highest and visibility is lowest,' Raquel Fisch, principal consultant at Impactt said in a statement. 'This research shows that workers on farms, in slaughterhouses, and in tanneries often face harsh conditions with little oversight or recourse. Yet these tiers are rarely covered by human rights due diligence. This report offers a valuable roadmap for companies to build traceability and accountability upstream, and to design systems that start with the realities of the workers most affected.' The report cited statistics from The Leather Council, which stated that 47% of leather is used in the manufacturing of footwear and 10% is used for apparel. In addition, the report cited information from the Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations, also called SOMO, which stated that most leather manufacturing is done in China, although Bangladesh, India and Pakistan are also major sources for leather and leather-related apparel. 'By illuminating challenges in upstream supply chains for commodities like leather, we aim to drive accountability and inspire collective actions toward a more equitable industry,' Richa Mittal, executive vice president and chief innovation officer at FLA said in a statement. 'This will help ensure dignity and respect for all workers at all levels of a company's global supply chain – not just Tier One.' Sign in to access your portfolio


Zawya
26-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordanian apparel industry drives economic growth, green shift
AMMAN — The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) has highlighted the leather and garments industries sector as one of the national industries leading in export and production, attributing its success to 'supportive' political will and continuous economic reforms. Ehab Qadri, representative of the sector at JCI, said the sector has become one of the main pillars of Jordanian industry. It now ranks first among export-oriented manufacturing industries, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Sunday. Qadri added that the sector's export value exceeded $2.5 billion in 2024, accounting for 26 per cent of Jordan's total industrial exports. Total production amounted to more than $3.2 billion. He noted that Jordan has become a strategic industrial base for exporting products to global markets, particularly the United States, benefiting from the free trade agreements signed by the Kingdom. Qadri emphasised that the sector is among the primary drivers of the Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), launched by His Majesty King Abdullah in 2022. The EMV aims to increase the industry's contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and create hundreds of thousands of quality jobs by 2033. He said companies in the sector are now working to shift towards higher value-added industries by promoting design, innovation, and the development of national brands. The sector is also moving towards sustainable production that considers environmental and social dimensions. As part of its partnerships, Qadri referred to the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The agreement aims to enhance productivity and adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. Qadri explained that the partnership includes initiatives to build institutional capacity, develop value chains, and promote compliance with international standards. These efforts will strengthen Jordan's position as a regional hub for advanced textile and leather industries. According to Qadri, the sector is a leader in human development, currently providing over 90,000 direct jobs. Women make up more than 67 per cent of its workforce. It is also regarded as one of the most supportive sectors for women's economic empowerment, particularly in governorates, productive branches, and industrial zones across the Kingdom. Qadri noted that the sector also appeals to Jordanian youth through specialised training programmes and job opportunities designed to align with the demands of the modern labour market. In line with the global shift towards a green economy, Qadri said major factories in the sector have begun to adopt environmental and social sustainability standards. He added that these standards include the use of solar energy, water treatment technologies, and commitment to responsible production practices, enhancing the competitiveness of Jordanian products in both European and US markets. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (

Zawya
09-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
From East Africa to the World: Regional Leather Businesses Center Stage at Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week
17 leather footwear and accessories manufacturers and tanneries from Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Tanzania exhibited at the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) 2025 held in Nairobi, Kenya. As part of the European Union (EU)-funded EU–East African Community (EAC) MARKUP II programme, the International Trade Centre (ITC) facilitated the participation of these leather businesses specializing in footwear and accessories from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan. The delegation also included business support organizations (BSOs) and key institutional partners. This initiative created new business opportunities and significantly boosted international visibility for East Africa's leather sector. On the sidelines, ITC also hosted two high-level panel discussions focusing on the future of East Africa's Regional Leather Industry and exploring the challenges and opportunities for regional integration. The African Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI) partnered with ITC for the discussion. The panels brought together industry experts, policymakers, and business leaders to address key challenges facing the sector, including limited value addition, infrastructure deficits, and environmental sustainability. Jimmy Odhiambo, the current EAC Chair, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry Kenya in his opening remarks said : 'This forum is instrumental in highlighting the vital role that leather associations can play in creating a more creative, inclusive and competitive industry. Associations are the connective tissue of the value-chain. They amplify voices, foster collaboration and create pathways to scale. ' Adrian Njau, Acting Executive Director, East African Business Council also participated in the discussion. The 2025, edition went beyond EAC countries to include a broader audience from ALLPI member states, making the exchange experience even more enriching and technically robust. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.