COTANCE STRATEGY
FOR AFRICA
Cooperation and Trade
COTANCE and its member associations,
* Proclaiming that free and fair trade
in the leather sector and the reduction and eventual elimination of
protectionisms of all kinds should guide all the efforts devoted in
EU-Africa relations as this is in the mutual interest and in the interest
of the international leather industry community,
* Affirming that
* COTANCE and its member leather trade
associations can substantially contribute to the goal of economic
integration of the EU-African leather industries and that the European
leather industry has an economically and environmentally valid model
to offer Africa
* the European Leather Industry's strive for a EU-African partnership
can be developed in many areas of mutual concern and interest and
at many levels of cooperation
* a framework in which these relations could evolve positively and
increase the chances of a successful partnership between European
and African operators is of strategic importance for maximising the
positive effects of sectoral initiatives at all levels of intervention
* COTANCE should take the role that corresponds to its objectives
and competencies, guiding, encouraging and supporting the initiatives
arising from the European Leather Industry, notably through its member
associations and aiming at the establishment of a fruitful EU-African
partnership in various fields
* COTANCE as such should take part in as many initiatives as possible
associated in the most appropriated way so as to symbolise the continuing
commitment of the European Leather Industry to improve trade and cooperation
relations with Africa
* Considering that the leather chemical
and machinery industry can also contribute to the improvement of the
technical and environmental performance of leather and leather products
industries by supporting the efforts of the tanning industry to establish
a fruitful EU-African partnership
* Recognizing that
* a trade fair acting as a focal point
for industry should be driven by the business community and remain
professional and free from public hand involvement as it could distort
the normal functioning of the market
* a trade fair can act as a catalyst for the development of cooperation
and trade between Europe and Africa and that in December 1997 "Africa
Leather" has demonstrated it gathered, in South Africa, a substantial
number of operators from many countries on both sides.
* Considering that
* financial support from international,
European and national institutions can play a significant role in
promoting trade and cooperation initiatives and funding programmes
and projects favouring economic integration between the EU and Africa
in the leather sector
* the combination of all actors and their inter-action towards the
goal of strengthening and supporting the initiatives aiming at mutual
benefits for the European and African leather sectors is the best
means to achieve a sound and sustainable development of industry on
both sides
* public funding and sponsoring for EU-African projects should be
exploited in its full potential and in a concerted manner so as to
achieve maximum results
have decided the Strategy for Africa
of the European Leather Industry.
STRATEGY FOR AFRICA
In its Strategy for Africa, COTANCE
intends:
1. To approach representative African
leather industry bodies and propose the establishment of a dialogue
aiming at finding areas of mutual interest that can contribute to the
strengthening of a EU-African partnership in the leather sector.
2. To encourage its member associations
to develop relations with African counterparts serving the interests
of their respective associated companies.
3. To draw up and update opportunely
a list of
a) member associations expressing interest
in developing trade and cooperation activities in the framework of the
COTANCE Strategy for Africa
b) tanners and dressers willing to explore business and cooperation
initiatives with African operators
c) component and accessories producers interested in contributing to
the development of markets in Africa
d) chemical and machinery industries endorsing the COTANCE Strategy
for Africa and gearing their activities in Africa towards the goal of
improving the technical capabilities and the environmental performance
of the African leather industries
e) leather research and training institutes in Europe showing interest
in participating in public-funded projects and capable of transferring
to the African leather industries the technologies and know-how corresponding
to their needs and to the benefit of strengthening the cooperation opportunities
between European and African operators.
4. To collect from these bodies their
plans for reviewing them, possibly endorse them and recommend them for
funding to the extent in which they are likely to contribute to the
objectives of the COTANCE Strategy for Africa.
5. To approach international organisations
such as UNIDO and FAO, the European institutions such as the European
Commission, European industrial development organisations such as CDI,
and any other national or international body as appropriate for support
in the development of the COTANCE Strategy for Africa and the initiatives
arising in its framework.
6. To give birth to "COTANCE-Development",
a non-profit organisation (ONG) capable of conducting funded cooperation
activities in the framework of the COTANCE Strategy for Africa.
7. To seek for funding for, amongst
other:
* the establishment of an exchange programme between COTANCE and representative
African leather industry bodies dedicated towards the best means for
implementing the Strategy for Africa in the mutual interest
* bursaries and internship schemes for tannery students, for the personnel
of associations, institutes and companies
* project proposals and initiatives of the leather industry aiming at
improving the technical cooperation and economic integration of EU-Africa
relations
* any project likely to contribute to the success of the COTANCE Strategy
for Africa.
8. To promote free and fair trade in
the leather sector and try and convince governments to refrain from
protectionism both on imports and exports.
9. To engage in efforts towards lifting
the performance of the African leather industries by progressively improving
the hide and skin availability and quality, the processing of wet-blue,
the enhancement of crust, the finishing of leather and the development
of new markets for leather and leather products worldwide.
10. To report on achievements and encourage
periodically at sectoral events gathering both European and African
operators so as to enhance the visibility of the COTANCE Strategy for
Africa.
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