The European Union has commended the craftsmanship of made-in-Abia leather products, reinforcing the state’s reputation as Nigeria’s leading hub for leather production.

The head of cooperation of the delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca, made this known during a one-day working visit to Aba.

Mr De Luca said the state’s leather industry held a lot of potential and talents for possible investments, which should earn it international recognition.

He said the EU had collaborations with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and German Cooperation to enhance the global leather sector.

Mr De Luca also said that these collaborations positioned the Union as a key partner in the global leather industrial development. He revealed that these partnerships focus on quality standards, standardisation, and improved manufacturing practices.

He further said UNIDO would soon launch new projects to strengthen value chains, enhance product quality, and improve environmental manufacturing practices in the leather sector.

“It has always been my dream to visit Abia because I have heard so much about Aba shoes and the leather industry. The name Abia deserves all the attention and respect worldwide, and this is what we need to fight for: Abia first and Abia products first,” he said.

Also, the special adviser to the governor on trade, commerce and industry, Nwaka Inem, reaffirmed the Abia government’s commitment to boosting the local leather industry.

Inem said that the government would focus on assisting artisans in improving their production quality and traders in expanding their leather businesses.

He further assured traders that through the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Agency, the government would draft a comprehensive support mechanism to address their needs.

Mr Inem also highlighted Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to partnering with the EU to uplift the leather sector in Aba. He said that the visit by the EU delegation had demonstrated the government and the Union’s keen interest in the industry’s growth in Abia.

Mr Inem said that the state government’s intervention would boost Aba’s leather industry, positioning it for competitiveness in both local and international markets.

(NAN)