One of the biggest convergence of the leather industry in South – Asian region, the 30th edition of the India International Leather Fair (IILF) is set to start at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam in Chennai from February 1 to 3, 2015. The fair will be inaugurated by Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Commerce and Industry Minister, Government of India at Chennai Trade Centre at 6.00 pm, today January31, 2015
In this context, a Press Conference was held at Chennai Trade Centre which was addressed by Mr. J.S. Deepak, Chairman and Managing Director, India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Mr. Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports (CLE). Others present on the dias were Mr. P.R. Aqeel Ahmed, Chairman-CLE(South), Mr. Subhash Kapoor, Vice Chairman, CLE, Mr. R. Ramesh Kumar, Executive Director (CLE) and Mr. V. Kumar, General Manager, ITPO.
IILF 2015 is being organised by the ITPO with the support of apex leather bodies: Council for Leather Exports(CLE), Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Indian Shoe Federation (ISF), Indian Finished Leather Manufacturers & Exporters Association (IFLMEA), Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI), Association of Footwear Components and Machinery Manufacturers of India (AFCAMI) and Indian Footwear Component Manufacturers’ Association (IFCOMA).
Surpassing previous records, this year, as many as 444 exhibitors including 143 overseas companies from 23 countries, are participating as compared to 385 exhibitors comprising 98 overseas exhibitors from 18 countries last year. Overseas participation is from Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, The Netherlands, Turkey, the UAE and the United Kingdom.
Australia, Lithuania, Mexico, Russia and Sweden are among the new countries in the fair. National Pavilions have been set-up by five countries including China, France, Germany, Italy and Brazil. This year, the fair elicited response from major groups including constituents of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy of Germany, ASSOMAC (Italy), Zhejian Donnor group (China), Fujian Group (China), CICB (Brazil), SGCP (France), ISF, IFLMEA and IFCOMA.
ITPO, CLE-CLRI in association with Indian leather sector will present “Spring Summer 2015” season through a Theme Pavilion “FUTURISTIC NOSTALGIA” at the fair. The centre stage will be titled ‘Human Gait Analysis’ focusing on new technology.
Covering an area of 9804sq.mtrs., the display profile covers garments, footwear and its components (uppers, soles, heals, counters, lasts etc.) synthetic material, goods, fashion accessories, (travel ware, belts, gloves, portfolios, hand bags and wallets) raw and finished leather, saddlery and harness, chemicals, machinery, equipment and technologies, publications and consultancy.
The Government of India has designated leather as one of the “Focus Sectors” under the National Foreign Trade Policy, and included the sector in the ‘Make in India’ campaign. With an annual turnover of over US$ 12 billion, the export of leather & leather products increased manifold over the past decade and touched US$ 5.90 billion in 2013-14, at a cumulative annual growth rate of 14.77 per cent (5 years). The major markets for Indian Leather & Leather products are (with a share of per centage) : Germany 12.60, UK 11.96 , USA 10.51 Hong Kong 8.82 , Italy 8.77, France 6.39, Spain 5.34, Netherlands 3.79, China 2.48, Belgium 1.86, UAE 2.53,and Australia 1.48. These 12 countries together accounts for nearly 76.53 per cent of India’s total leather & leather products export.
Concurrent with the exhibition, technical seminars, fashion show and Awards function will be held as major attractions to the fair.
Extensive arrangements have been made for convenience of the business visitors at the fair. These include: Business Information Centre, Mobile App, Telephone, STD/ISD, Internet, e-mail, Wi-Fi, VIP lounge, etc.
This year, a large number of business delegations, entrepreneurs and buyers from India and abroad are expected to visit the fair. In 2014 edition, as many as, 10,068 registered business visitors from 48 countries visited the fair.
The IILF (February 01-2-3, 2015) will open from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. The entry fee is Rs.200/- per visitor per day. The sale of tickets will be from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. on all days at the entrance gate and registration counter at Hall No. 3A. There will be free entry for pre-registered visitors and foreign buyers. There is no free entry for student groups.
