Utilising the experience and market knowledge of the APLF team, and the local understanding of Informa, the largest event organiser in Egypt, the event is set to open up the African and Middle Eastern leather markets to the entire value chain. The MEA region is a hugely important growth area for the global economy, including leather industries, and Cairo is at its heart. This was the background for the presentation of the new leather fair, made last week during the APLF trade fairs in Hong Kong.

Perrine Ardouin, APLF Director, commented: “Egypt is the key industrial hub for the MEA region, its geographic position between Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as its advanced transport infrastructure, makes it a natural selection for an event in the region. Egypt is forecast by Standard Chartered to become the 7^th largest global economy by 2030, and its leather industry is matching the pace of industrial development, with Robikki Leather City set to become the sector’s leading cluster in the region.”

The leather industry in Cairo is moving from its traditional city centre location to a purposed built industrial zone for the whole leather supply chain.

Yasser El-Maghraby, Advisor to the Minister of Trade and Industry of Egypt, and Chairman of Cairo for Investment and Development, the organising body behind Robbiki Leather City stated: “Robbiki is one of the leading leather clusters in Africa and the Middle East, with a total annual tanned leather production at 222 million sq ft/annum, with output expected to rise by 40% YOY for the foreseeable future. Robikki will cover the whole value chain, from raw hides to finished products. This new facility is revolutionising leather production in Egypt and across the MEA region, offering opportunities for international companies to sell their products and invest in Egypt.”

The launch of Pan African Leather Fair will occur in June 2020, from the 19^th to the 21^st in Cairo, Egypt.