Last year the first event attracted 140 exhibitors and some 3,250 buyers and so far the organsiers have booked 130 exhibitors and aim to have a total of 180 by the time the show takes place. Exhibitors for the 2010 represent some 44 different countries making the event international.
It is widely acknowledged in the industry that India has the size and capacity for two major trade shows annually, one serving the south centred around Chennai and one in the north. With the highly successful IILF taking place each January in Chennai fMM&T has the opportunity to serve other parts of the Indian sector clustered around Agra, Kanpur, Ambala, New Delhi and Jallandhar. The organisers also bring considerable experience in operating international trade shows in the leather industry such as the APLF and ACLE.
fMM&T is backed by a number of Indian national and regional associations representing the footwear, leather and components sectors including event partners, the Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA).
The total leather and leather products industry in India is estimated to turnover $7 billion per annum and despite a slow down during the recent global economic crisis has grown steadily over the past decade.
