Industry Minister Studies Importing Leather, Wood From Sudan

The leather industry in Egypt suffers because of the scarcity of raw hide, and the low production of livestock, which doesn’t suffice for tanning and leather products industry in Egypt, said Hatem Saleh, minister of industry and foreign trade.

In the last period the prices of leather were high, so it was settled with the Sudanese side to establish an industrial zone for slaughter, the minister said. Sudan also has two slaughters in Omdurman and Nyama.

Saleh affirmed that there are 29 tanneries are working now in El Roubakey, and the rest tanneries will be transferred next April.

The minister has asked the private sector to visit Sudan and to increase the cooperation with Sudanese side; especially after Sudanese President’s visit to Egypt. He referred that there is strong support and an invitation from the Sudanese side to invest in Khartoum.

As per furniture industry, Saleh said we have good furniture industry but we import wood from Sudan because it has big forests and with competitive prices.