Ethiopian Leather Industry PLC (ELICO) is planning to start export of shoes to European and American markets upon completion and commencement of operation of its shoe making plant at the end of the coming month.

Ethiopian Leather Industry PLC has been exporting processed leather materials and produce bags, clothes and other leather made accessories.

ELICO is completing the erection of its shoe factory constructed at a total cost of 40 million birr on 100 meter square plot located in Kality. The factory will have a daily manufacturing capacity of 1,500 pairs of shoes when it becomes fully operational.“We already have ordered 50,000 soles and other accessories at a cost of 5 million birr from Italy for the time being,” Brook Debebe, General Manager of Ethio-Leather Industry Plc informed Capital in an exclusive interview. ELICO is also planning to produce the soles it is currently importing in the future.

The machinery for the shoe factory has been acquired by ELICO agent Florentine. Florentine purchased various parts of the machinery from different companies on behalf of ELICO,according to the General Manager.

Ethiopia’s leather industry is growing at a faster pace with value-added leather products including footwear, gloves, bags, purses, wallets, belts and other finished leather goods bound for world market.

Source: Capital