The government is preparing to set up a model tannery as a pilot project to help upgrade the quality of raw materials for the leather and footwear industries. The Industry Ministry has initiated the project as part of the government’s plan to make Bangkok the regional fashion hub in Asia.
The ministry believes the project, to be located at the Bang Poo Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan, will help local companies develop leathergoods with designs and quality up to global market requirements, while reducing imports of raw leather and promoting investment in local tanneries and leather and footwear manufacturing.
The 674-million-baht project will also involve a testing laboratory to research and develop technology to support small tanneries and develop labour skills. Because some technology and specialists in this field are not available in Thailand, the ministry will choose a technology supplier as the project’s partner. The partner would help manage the project to prepare Thai people to run it in the future.
Source: Daily ‘Bangkok Post’