A STUDY OF LEATHER INDUSTRY OF SRI LANKA WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The leather industry in Sri Lanka has a good potential for future development because the industry can provide employment and also is capable of contributing to growth in Gross Domestic Production. At present, the leather industry is facing two major threats: Inability to comply with the environmental standards for effluent discharge and the increasing rivalry on price and quality in the export market. This study was designed to study the present structure of the leather industry in Sri Lanka, with special emphasis on the technology and technological capability. The embodied form of perspective of technology and the model followed by Thailand Development Research Institute, 1989 had were used to assess the technology and technological capability respectively. The data had been collected through structural interviews. The data revealed that a satisfactory blend of the technology components is not present and the accumulated level of the technology capability of the in the industry is also poor. A set of recommendations had been formed and as a value addition to the study, the suggested policy recommendations were prioritized by assessment on the need of capital and time for the completion, level of strategic effect, sustainability and feasibility. It had been found that the commissioning of the Bata-atha project is the most immediate need followed by the needs of the systematic training and skill development, export marketing development, Technoware development, establishment of a testing laboratory, academic recognition through a certification programme, establishment of a coordination mechanism between relevant stakeholders and raw hide quality improvement respectively.

Keywords: Leather, Recommendations, Tanning, Technological capability, Technology

For full Paper: fmscresearch@sjp.ac.lk