Ethiopian hide and skin products are getting greater recognition in Chinese market, said a local leather expert Saturday.

Abdissa Adugna, chairman of Ethiopian Leather and Leather Products' Producers Association, told Xinhua News Agency that due to higher attention the government gave to the sector, Ethiopian leather products are getting greater demand in China's market in addition to the European market.

Abdissa said 14 million US dollars were earned from China through leather export during the past Ethiopian budget year from July 8, 2005 to July 7, 2006.

He said the Ethiopian embassy in Beijing has made contributions in promoting the leather and leather products in the Chinese market through organizing exhibitions and trade fairs.

The government's permission for the duty-free importation of machinery and raw materials for the sector has also greatly contributed to the increased demand for Ethiopian products at international market, he added.

Abdissa said the association is providing awareness-raising education for farmers and business people engaged in the sector to help prevent wastage of hides and skin products, thereby benefiting the country through the sector.

He said there is a need for improving the quality and variety of leather products to satisfy the demand of the international market.

Leather is a vital industry to Ethiopia, with its products sold to Italy, Britain and, increasingly, China. As the second export only following coffee in terms of earnings, leather has the potential to overtake coffee and become a serious source of much- needed revenues.

Ethiopia is the major source of the globe's finest and most sought-after varieties of leather, with the hardy breed of highland hair sheep known as Cabretta.

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