February 8, 2002
'16'
RS. 85 CRORE WORTH BUSINESS DEALS FINALISED AT LEATHER FAIR
The 17th India International Leather Fair (IILF) 2002 has resulted in a business turnover of more than Rs.85 crore with the focus primarily on exports. Export deals, as reported by participants at the IILF which concluded successfully on 4th February at Chennai, are valued at Rs.51.5 crore followed by import business to the tune of Rs.21 crore and local business orders estimated at Rs.12.6 crore. These estimates are on the basis of the feedback received from the 80% of the 220 participants. Besides this, a joint venture with an estimated value of Rs.20 crore was signed. The Fair was inaugurated by Shri Murasoli Maran, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry.
Indian leather industry is on an upswing as reflected by the presence of overseas exhibitors. More than 37 overseas exhibitors from 19 countries directly participated in the fair such as – Argentina (1), France (1), Hong Kong (1), Italy (12), Taiwan (6), Germany (1), the Netherlands (1), Spain (6), People’s Republic of China (1), Singapore (1), South Africa (1), South Korea (3), Czech Republic (1), Ireland (1), Portugal (1), United Arab Emirates (1) and United Kingdom (1).
More than 10,000 representatives of trade and industry visited the Fair. Buyers from 35 countries such as Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bahamas, China, Denmark, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hong Kong (China), Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Italy, Kenya, south Korea, North Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Oman, Reunion, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Yugoslavia, Zambia etc., visited the exposition.
The highlights of the Fair included Seminars on a number of important subjects such as US Footwear Market; Value- Upgradation by Finishing Raw Hides & Skins and Opportunities in China for Indian leather & leather products coordinated by Council for Leather Exports (CLE). International Technology Market (INTECHMART), organised by CLE, where meetings were held between foreign businessmen and Indian counterparts, was also organised.