BUJUMBURA June 4th (ABP) – Manufacturers of leather shoes complain about the high cost of raw materials, said Artist Egide Niyonkuru, who has participated in a trade fair of products made in Burundi, which is ongoing in Bujumbura since May 28, 2021.
Mr. Niyonkuru, one of the participants in that exhibition and member of the Federation of Leather Goods and Shoemaking Companies of Burundi (FEMACOBU), indicated that the company operates in the field of leather through the production of leather products such as sandals, shoes, briefcases, belts, and so forth.
According to Mr. Niyonkuru, the sandal made from Burundian leather is sold between 15,000 and 20,000 BIF, while women’s clogs are sold at 15,000 BIF. As for a pair of closed shoes for men made from Burundian leather, it is bought between 70,000 and 80,000 BIF.
“I joined FEMACOBU to collaborate with other entrepreneurs to improve knowledge,” Mr. Niyonkuru said, noting that thanks to that job, he managed to buy a plot and that he is currently able to cover the needs of his family.
In addition, Mr. Niyonkuru deplores the lack of raw materials, especially skins, which they face as the clientele grows.
Indeed, he explains, sellers of the skins export them abroad, which often makes them expensive. So he made a strong appeal for lowering prices in order to have easy access to raw materials.
To that end, Mr. Niyonkuru invited unemployed young people to create self-development activities without waiting for anything from the outside and to team up in cooperatives or associations in order to fight against unemployment and to contribute to the sustainable development of the country. He also invited women and men to go and see their shoes on display because, he said, the leather from Burundi is of very good quality.