“Leathercraft Workshop” Established in Afghanistan with TİKA’s Support

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) established a “Leathercraft Workshop” within the Herat Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, operating in the western region of Afghanistan.

Leather processing machines and necessary technical equipment provided by TİKA were delivered to the officials with a ceremony.

The Republic of Türkiye’s Consul General to Herat, Sinan İlhan; TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat, Arafat Deniz; the Officer in Charge of UN Women in Afghanistan’s Western Region, Claire van Loveren; the Head of the Herat Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bahnaz Saljoqi and the Principal of the Herat Girls High School of the Turkish Maarif Foundation, Merziye Muhammedi attended the delivery ceremony.

The Republic of Türkiye’s Consul General to Herat, İlhan stated that Türkiye always stands by Afghanistan, and will continue to support the Afghan people in the future by sharing Türkiye’s experiences with them.

TİKA’s Coordinator in Herat, Deniz expressed that TİKA always prioritizes professional fields and occupational groups, and they will continue to work on the production and employment projects.

Deniz emphasized that Afghanistan is rich in rawhide, but it is sold abroad as it is not processed. He also underlined that large amounts of money are paid for the products that are reimported as processed leather. He noted that products such as belts, wallets, bags, slippers will be produced by processing the rawhide at the leather workshop, and vocational training will be provided in this field.

The Head of the Herat Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Saljoqi expressed her gratitude to Türkiye and TİKA, highlighting TİKA’s continuous cooperation. Saljogi pointed out that the quality and diversity of the products, which will be sold in both local and international markets, are going to increase thanks to TİKA’s support.