The Ambassador of Indonesia to Tanzania, His Excellency Tri Yogo Jatmiko, has inaugurated training sessions designed to enhance leather product manufacturing skills among entrepreneurs across Tanzania.
The training, which is a collaborative effort between Indonesia, Germany, and Tanzania, aims to foster vocational skills in leather processing and manufacturing technologies. During his opening remarks, Ambassador Yogo highlighted the wealth of resources and raw materials available in Tanzania. He emphasized the importance of the diplomatic relationship between Indonesia and Tanzania in facilitating skill development across various sectors.
The training has attracted around 25 participants from different regions of Tanzania, including small entrepreneurs. It marks a key phase in the ‘South-south Triangular Cooperation on Technical and Vocational Education Training (SSTC TVET) in Leather Footwear’ project, jointly implemented by Indonesia and Tanzania since 2022, with financial support from the German Development Agency (GIZ). Spanning 10 days, the sessions are led by leather experts from Indonesia, supporting Tanzanian efforts to produce leather products that meet international standards.
Ambassador Yogo expressed the need for Tanzania to increase its leather shoe production to meet domestic demands, citing the availability of raw materials as a foundation for reducing imports. He also reflected on the long-standing partnership between the countries, which was strengthened by meetings between their Presidents last year to discuss developmental issues in sectors like oil and agriculture.
The inauguration also featured a tree-planting ceremony by Ambassador Yogo, marking the commencement of a ‘green campaign’ aimed at enhancing environmental protection on the campus.
Furthermore, Ambassador Yogo remarked on the recent visit by Her Excellency President Samia Suluhu Hassan to Indonesia, which has paved the way for cooperation in various fields, underpinned by the shared histories of the two nations.
Mr. Marco Isack, the education officer of Ilemela municipality, on behalf of the District Commissioner of Ilemela, Mr. Hassan Masala, extended his gratitude to the Indonesian government for providing experts to disseminate new technology in leather processing and manufacturing. Mr. Ramadani Buthu, the coordinator of the training program at DIT-Mwanza, highlighted the opportunity for entrepreneurs to advance this technology in the country.
The training participants, including Trashishi Malibwa, Chairman of the ‘Umoja Leather’ group in Mwanza, praised the efforts to enhance their skills, recognizing the potential for fostering self-employment among stakeholders in leather processing.
By Joshua Kasase, Public Relations Officer, DIT-Mwanza
