Ethiopia has earned over 104 million dollars from the export of shoes, leather and leather products during the fiscal year to 7 July 2011, the Leather Industry Development Institute said.

The income exceeds that of the previous fiscal year by 50 million dollars. The items were exported to the United States Europe Asia and African countries, Birhanu Sirjabo, communication director of the institute, said.

He said that in 50 percent increase in the income was due to the increase in the number of companies involved in the sector with a potential of exporting processed leather and the sharing of best practices with the Indian leather and shoe factories.

Over the coming five years, the country is planning to make 500 million dollars from the leather industry.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency