Morocco's leather exports grow by 55% in 2001

The volume of Morocco's exports of leathers reached 1,286 tons in the period between April 2001, when the government decided to subject leather exports to an authorization, and December 2001, said a Moroccan official.

Minister of industry, trade, energy and mining, Mustapha Mansouri, said at the question-time at the chamber of advisors (upper parliamentary chamber) the figure reflects a 55% increased compared to overall leather exports conducted in 200.

He added that this increase in exports is affecting the local supply of unprocessed and semi-processed leather.

The minister further explained that in addition to requiring a prior authorization for the exportation of leather, the government has taken other measures to streamline the sector, mainly the creation of a technical center to monitor the quality of leather, creating a leather manufacturing compound with the collaboration of the Italian leather association and conducting a study on tanneries.

A ministerial commission was also tasked to follow up the impact of the authorization requirement on the tanning sector.