IILF silver jubilee gets underway
31 January 2010The 25th edition of the India International Leather Fair (IILF), got underway on January 31 after being officially opened by the Indian minister of textiles, Dayanidhi Maran at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam, Chennai. He told invited guests and visitors that the leather sector was vital to India’s economy especially in terms of export performance. ‘The government will continue to support the leather industry but the sector has to stand and walk on its own without subsidies’, he said.
Earlier, Habib Hussein, chairman, Indian Council for Leather Exports (CLE), said that although 2009 had been a tough year and that overall volumes fell 10% the Indian leather sector was in great shape to continue growth. He said that it was the aim of the sector to add another million jobs in the leather and leather products industry over the next five years. There are approximately four million people employed in the sector.
The IILF show takes place from January 31 to February 3, 2010 and this edition is the largest ever growing by 10% compared with last year, the previous record edition. Around 434 exhibitors from 24 countries will highlight a number of products aimed at the India’s large footwear and leathergoods industries and includes tanners, chemical and machinery suppliers for leather and footwear, and footwear component and accessory manufacturers.
There is group participation from China, France, Germany, Italy and Thailand at the show this year.
The show is organised by the Indian Council for Leather Exports and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and in collaboration with the CLE.
