UNIDO Organizes a Study Tour to Promote Sustainable Industrial Practices in Egypt’s Leather Industry
Egyptian Robbiki Leather Park Delegation Visits the Italian Leather District of Santa Croce sull’Arno
Within its efforts to promote sustainable industrial practices within Egypt’s leather industry, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has orchestrated a pioneering study tour under the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP). The tour, held from 26th to 28th February 2024, aimed to empower tanneries within the Robbiki Leather industrial park by exposing them to exemplary tanning processes and eco-friendly methodologies.
The tour proceedings were inaugurated with a welcome note from Mr. Aldo Galiozi, the Director of the tanning association of Santa Croce sull’Arno and Dr. Rana Pratap Singh, Head of the GEIPP Egypt project.
The study tour set its sights on the eco-conscious practices of Distretto di Santa Croce sull’Arno in Italy. Participants from Robbiki engaged in immersive experiences, learning firsthand how environmental concerns are addressed and witnessing the developmental process towards becoming an Eco-Industrial Park.
A key milestone of the tour was the emphasis on GEIPP activities, showcasing Eco-Industrial Parks as potent tools for fostering inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Dr. Singh underscored the importance of integrating such practices into the fabric of industrial operations, emphasizing the broader objectives of the GEIPP initiative.
GEIPP Egypt extends support to the Robbiki industrial park by strengthening the capacities of park management and resident tanneries. Through practices like rapid Resource Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RECP) assessments and the promotion of industrial symbiosis (IS), GEIPP Egypt strives to catalyze a shift towards greener, more efficient industrial practices.
The endeavour aligns with the vision of the Ministry of Industry in Egypt, which seeks to drive the leather sector forward by enhancing competitiveness and strengthening supply chains. Embracing research, quality testing, and technology transfer, the initiative aims to integrate local and international industries, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of innovation and collaboration.
GEIPP Egypt is implemented under the framework of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) in Developing and Transition Countries, currently funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and implemented by UNIDO in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI).
The study tour hosted participation from 13 key stakeholders, including representatives from tanneries, Robbiki park management, and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). Their engagement underscores the collective commitment towards fostering a greener, more resilient industrial landscape in Egypt.
