IILF 2016 – A GRAND SHOW
V.M. Khaleelur Rahman
The 31st India International Leather
Fair (IILF) began with a grand inaugural function on the evening of 31st
January 2016 with the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu Dr. K. Rosaiah lighting
the traditional lamp along with distinguished personalities, Mr. M. Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, CLE, Mr. LC
Goyal, IAS (Retd), CMD, ITPO, Mr. J. Gunasekaran, GM, ITPO and many others.
The three day fair from 1st to 3rd
February 2016 was the cynosure of all eyes. It had attracted participants more
than last year from home and abroad exhibiting machinery, chemicals, leather,
leather products, accessories, components etc. There were quite a large number
of businessmen, technicians and company staffs taking part in various programmes.
It was a suppliers’ fair mainly to the tanning and shoe industries of India. Many
overseas manufacturers had exhibited their very modern and sophisticated machinery
meant for tanning and footwear industries. Tanners and shoe industrialists showed
great interest in them and interacted with the experts there.
Many participants expressed the view that the fair
was well organized and fruitful. They were confident of the present slow tendency
of the market changing for the better in the days to come.
A well known Italian firm which had been
importing various items of leather showed interest for high quality goat upper
and lining leathers in reputed marks. Some exporters seem to have offered their
high quality goat upper and lining leathers for shoes at around US$ 2.70 and
1.70 per sq. ft. respectively.
A Brazilian company which participated in the
fair for the first time was interested in selling their wet blue hides. Its
quotations were as follows:
Wet Blue Brazil Hides:
Unsplitted, average 47/52 sq. ft.
TR1/TR2/TR3/TR4/Rejects – US$ 1.30/1.20/1.10/1.00/0.82
Unsplitted, average 36/40 sq. ft.
Rejects – US$ 0.73
Sides, Substance: 1.5/+ mm, average: 16/18 sq.
ft.
TR without Rejects – US$ 0.80
Rejects – US$ 0.62
All per sq. ft. CFR Chennai, L/C at Sight
A big Netherland firm seems to have concluded
some big contracts in wet blue hides with some shoe manufacturers who have
their own tanneries at reduced prices as per the present market. Exporters want
business and for the sake of business they are prepared to give more discounts.
This tendency is everywhere in the world now due to the current market
situations.
The India Leather Week 2016 held from 30th
January 2016 to 5th January 2016 in Chennai was of immense interest
to the leather fraternity. There were:
1. Technical event Leather Research Industry Get Together at CLRI, 2.
International Technical Footwear Congress at Hotel ITC Grand Chola and 3.
Designers’ Fair at Hotel Le Royal Meridien. These are well chalked out
programmes by the Council for Leather Exports to boost growth and export of
leather and leather products.
The Council for Leather Exports is endeavouring
its best to improve growth and export of leather and leather products through
different means as per the policy of the government. Some small tanners and
exporters demand that the union government should come to their rescue by increasing
drawbacks and incentives for exports.
It is felt in the trade circles that the IILF
2016 was successful to a great extent in so many aspects although the turnover
of the overall business concluded may not be to the past levels.
19th UITIC Congress
The latest edition of the UITIC Congress held on
4th and 5th February 2016 in Chennai was attended by a
record large number of participants from India and abroad.
The speeches delivered on the future of the shoe
industry focusing on many aspects like consumer trends, designs, machines, new
product concepts, services, training and education etc. were of great value. Delegates
visited the factories of Messrs. Kemore Shoes, BBK Leathers Pvt. Ltd. and KH
Group.
The UITIC awards were presented to the Hungarian
shoe expert Ferenc Schmel/Unido and Andreas Tepest (Deichmann).
The UITIC President Mr. Yves Morin appreciating
and thanking the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) said: CLE provided a strong
support organizing this event under the Presidency of Rafeeq Ahmed, Chairman of
CLE, Aqeel Ahmed, Convener of the Congress and Regional Chairman of CLE and
Ramesh Kumar, Executive Director of CLE. He also said that the UITIC was highly
satisfied with the proceedings of the event.
(Writer’s e-mail id: vmk1234@yahoo.com)
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