Egyptian leather manufacturer eyes Tanzanian expansion

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Egypt Carpet Company, known for its handcrafted AL Berogy leather goods, is setting its sights on Tanzania.

Impressed by the strong reception at the ongoing 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), company director Mr Hassani Hassani sees a promising market for his products in the East African nation.

“The potential here is undeniable,” Mr Hassani remarked at the exhibition grounds.

“Tanzanians are eager to network and explore business partnerships. Throughout the fair, I’ve met numerous potential customers and business people interested in my leather products.”

This positive experience has fuelled Mr Hassani’s ambition to establish a factory in Tanzania. “I envision a new beginning here,” he shared.

“A factory would allow me to not only produce leather goods but also share my expertise with the Tanzanian community, particularly women, by teaching them the art of leatherworking.”

Beyond creating employment opportunities, the factory would utilise a variety of locally sourced hides, including those from rabbits, sheep, goats, and camels.

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Tanzania’s vast livestock population makes it a prime location for such an endeavour. Before returning to Egypt, Mr Hassani plans to meet with key stakeholders like the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and the Tanzania Industry Research and Development Organisation (TIRDO).

His goal is to foster collaboration with Tanzanian businesses and promote the growth of the domestic leather industry. “I want to work alongside Tanzanian companies,” Mr Hassani emphasised.

“Together, we can build confidence and empower those interested in entering the exciting world of leather.” This potential expansion by the Egypt Carpet Company could be a significant development for Tanzania’s leather industry.

With its abundant resources and Mr Hassani’s expertise, a successful partnership could create jobs, empower local communities, and propel Tanzania’s leather industry forward.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Tanzania has the second largest cattle population in Africa, following Ethiopia.

Despite this, the livestock sector’s contribution to the national income is not substantial.

Livestock-related activities account for only 27 per cent of the agricultural sector’s contribution to the economy and 7.1 per cent of Tanzania’s GDP. The sector’s growth rate stands at 5.0 per cent.