31st India International Leather Fair 2016 - A grand show

IILF 2016 – A GRAND SHOW

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

The 31^st India International Leather Fair (IILF) began with a grand inaugural function on the evening of 31^st 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 1^st to 3^rd 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 30^th January 2016 to 5^th 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.

19^th UITIC Congress

The latest edition of the UITIC Congress held on 4^th and 5^th 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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